Nepal’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, prithvi subba Gurung, has expressed a strong commitment to passing the Social Media Bill in Parliament to curb the growing misuse of social media platforms. Speaking at an event organized by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority in the capital on Tuesday, Minister Gurung emphasized the need for regulating social media, asserting that the bill would pass in Parliament and the sector would be properly organized. He highlighted that the bill is essential for protecting national sovereignty, religious tolerance, social harmony, and combating cybercrimes.
Minister Gurung also pointed out that certain undemocratic forces were opposed to the bill, accusing social media platforms of trying to disrupt the country’s cultural coexistence and social harmony. He criticized efforts to undermine the unity and integrity of Nepalese society, comparing it to curd that is beginning to solidify and is now being threatened. He questioned whether such actions should be regulated.
He mentioned that Nepal is home to over ten religious communities living together in harmony, a rare example globally. However, he noted that the lack of regulation of social media has led to disturbances in religious tolerance. For example, Muslims observe Hindu festivals, and many people now celebrate the Dashain festival, which represents national unity, a unique strength of the country that is being attacked today.
The minister also emphasized the need to manage freedom of expression within limits, ensuring that rights like the freedom of speech, information, and press are not misused. He argued that such freedoms should not be exploited to harm others or spread defamation. He raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and false narratives on social media, stressing the need to control this issue.
Minister Gurung shared that the government is working on finalizing the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Act to address cybercrimes. He mentioned a report revealing a fraud of 19 crore rupees through cybercrime just last month, highlighting the growing and often hidden scale of such crimes.
On the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Minister Gurung emphasized the need to regulate both its positive and negative impacts. He proposed that AI should be used for the advancement of human life and economic growth, while also mitigating its potential harms.
The minister also discussed the government’s focus on policy formulation and legal reforms, such as updating the outdated telecommunications law, which was first passed in 1953. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the times, much like the evolution in telecommunications, to ensure Nepal remains competitive.
To promote digital literacy, Minister Gurung has directed the Ministry’s institutions to set up ICT labs in every school and run digital literacy campaigns in communities. He stressed the importance of increasing the use of government apps and improving financial literacy.
Minister Gurung outlined plans to expand broadband internet nationwide, collaborating with telecommunication service providers to reach all 753 municipalities and 6,743 wards. This expansion is expected to help establish e-governance and provide quicker public services, enabling citizens to feel connected to the government.
Finally, the minister expressed his commitment to working with the private sector, cooperatives, and other stakeholders to create a more organized, balanced, and secure communication sector. He called for cooperation to overcome the challenge of updating outdated laws and policies in this field.
