KATHMANDU: A thematic committee meeting aimed at strengthening coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments has made a series of key decisions to address structural challenges in the communication sector, amend outdated laws, develop integrated digital systems and improve public service delivery.
The meeting of the Information and Communication Sector Thematic Committee, formed under the Intergovernmental Coordination and Relations Act, agreed on measures to restructure the communication sector in line with Nepal’s federal governance framework.
Held at the Ministry of Communication, the meeting approved the Procedure on Thematic Committee Meetings and Decisions, introducing a mechanism for regular monitoring of decision implementation.
Addressing the meeting, Minister for Communication Bikram Timilsina said changes to the existing legal framework had become inevitable due to rapid technological advancements. He added that drafting and passing necessary legislation would remain a government priority.
The minister stressed the need for stronger coordination, collaboration and exchange of experiences among the three levels of government to improve service delivery and accelerate development activities.
He also called for a thorough review of overlapping structures within the communication sector, particularly in areas such as grant distribution, advertising systems and media effectiveness.
The meeting highlighted several long-standing challenges, including overlapping institutional structures, ambiguity in authority and responsibilities among different levels of government, and weak coordination resulting from one level of government not recognizing the work carried out by another.
Participants identified legal uncertainties related to media registration and renewal, press accreditation, online media regulation, broadcasting, film production and telecommunications as major concerns.
Among the key decisions, the meeting agreed to collect suggestions from all provinces and move forward with legal reforms under the Radio Act and the Radio Communication (License) Regulations, to streamline radio equipment licensing and management.
The committee also decided to initiate amendments to the Printing Press and Publication Act, to address confusion surrounding the registration and renewal of online media outlets. Special attention will be given to resolving issues faced by online media organizations registered under provincial laws.
To strengthen regulation and record-keeping, the meeting endorsed the development of an integrated communication sector database and management system. The platform will be developed in coordination with the Ministry of Communication, provincial and local governments, and the Press Council Nepal, enabling media registration, renewal, monitoring and archiving through a single system.
The revival of postal services was another major agenda. The government plans to transform the postal network into a public courier service capable of delivering official documents such as passports, driving licences, SIM cards and educational certificates directly to citizens. Provincial and local governments have been requested to support the initiative.
The meeting also discussed measures to prevent encroachment on postal office land and properties and to recover encroached assets through coordination with local governments.
In the advertising sector, participants agreed to begin implementing model directives and legislation prepared by the Advertising Board to ensure greater transparency, accountability and uniformity in advertising management across all three levels of government.
The committee further endorsed a strategy to develop filmmaking, documentary production, photography and digital content creation as industries. The initiative aims to promote Nepal’s natural and cultural heritage internationally and position the country as an attractive destination for film production and creative industries.
Other decisions include ensuring the effective utilization of the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund to sustain broadband services in local communities, standardizing government gazette publication systems across provinces and local levels, and encouraging news production and broadcasting in mother tongues recommended by the Language Commission.
The meeting also prioritized efforts to combat misinformation and promote responsible journalism through public awareness campaigns coordinated by all levels of government.
Speaking at the meeting, Sudurpashchim Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Sunar emphasized the need for a clear umbrella law covering all provinces to better regulate the communication sector. He also pointed to a shortage of personnel at the provincial level and highlighted the lack of clear policies on emerging challenges such as cybersecurity.
Ministry Secretary Laxmi Kumari Basnet said further consultations would be held with provincial and local governments to address jurisdictional ambiguities and advance the process of unbundling powers among different tiers of government.
The meeting also decided to circulate a study report prepared by a task force on functional assignment among provincial and local government umbrella organizations for feedback, while establishing a regular monitoring and reporting mechanism for the implementation of committee decisions.
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