KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel has made it clear that the government will not ban social media platforms in Nepal.
Speaking during an interaction with representatives of digital media associations at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Minister Kharel said social media has become the new mainstream medium of communication and therefore will not be restricted.
He said all stakeholders should cooperate with the government to make social media platforms more responsible and better regulated.
Kharel said the government recognizes digital and online platforms as part of the new mainstream media and will continue to prioritize them in its policies.
He also informed that a regulation has been presented to the Cabinet to begin the registration and renewal process for online media through the Department of Information itself. Once the regulation is endorsed and published in the Nepal Gazette in a few days, all online media registration and renewal procedures will be handled directly by the Department, he added.
During the discussion, representatives of online television channels and digital media expressed dissatisfaction, saying the state has not given due priority to their sector.
Comment