Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has stressed the need for stricter laws to discipline online media portals. He said many of these platforms ignore existing laws and ethical guidelines followed by other media outlets.
“Rather than just regulating, such online portals need to be controlled because they disrespect laws and undermine journalistic values,” the minister said.
Speaking at an event in Kaski, where newly elected officials of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) took their oaths, Minister Gurung revealed that a new bill has been drafted to regulate online media. He added that the government aims to pass this bill in the winter session of Parliament. If Parliament cannot meet soon, the bill might be introduced through an ordinance.
The minister also invited journalists and stakeholders across Nepal to share suggestions for improving the draft of the proposed Mass Communication Bill.
Minister Gurung highlighted that Nepal Television and Radio Nepal have been restructured under the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) model. He said similar changes will be introduced for government publications to make them more market-competitive and self-reliant.
“The government media needs to evolve to stay relevant and sustainable,” he said.
As the spokesperson for the government, Gurung addressed rumors of the administration’s instability. He emphasized that the current government is vital for leading Nepal toward prosperity and urged the media to act responsibly in supporting this goal.
The newly elected FNJ Kaski team officially took office during the ceremony.
