Minister for Communications and Technology and spokesperson of Nepal government, Rekha Sharma, has said government would bring laws on mass communications soon. Receiving a report submitted by the ‘mass communications sector reform committee’ at the ministry today, Minister Sharma said IT sector is a fast changing area, which needs new laws for reform. “Legal initiatives are forwarded to regulate the challenges facing IT and mass communications sectors,” she reminded.
The minister-level decision was made on March 10, thereby forming a committee under coordination of senior journalist Dr Suresh Achaya for furnishing recommendation on policy, law and regulation needed for entire reform of mass communication sector. At the programme, Ministry Secretary Krishna Bahadur Rawat, viewed the committee had furnished suggestions including on the points of public service broadcasting bill. New law is essential to address present issues in media and mass communication sectors, he also seconded the Minister. The committee submitted the report within deadline.
The committee had also held discussions with stakeholders including high level officials from ministry, concerned associations and experts, according to coordinator Acharya. The committee had the members Bipul Pokhrel, Dr Mahendra Bista, Govind Acharya and Babita Basnet. The committee has suggested the government media to undergo restructuring. It has also analysed present status of digital media and social networking sites, development of mass communications, pluralism in mass communication, diversity, promotion of inclusiveness, RTI, press freedom and journalists’ security.
According to the committee, the bill on public service broadcasting should be amended. It also spoke on reconsidering drafts of Nepal Media Council bill, national mass communications bill and Nepal Mass Communications Training Institute bill.
