Media Society Calls for Bill Amendments, Cites ‘Control-Oriented’ Provisions

KATHMANDU – The Nepal Media Society (NMS) has held an interactive program in Kathmandu to raise serious concerns about the proposed Media Council Bill. The society and a number of prominent media figures and legal experts criticized the bill, arguing that its current form is not aimed at enhancing the media’s dignity but rather at controlling it.

The event, chaired by NMS President Madan Lamsal, brought together a range of stakeholders to discuss the contentious legislation. Speakers included former Press Council Nepal Chairman Rajendra Dahal, former Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Presidents Taranath Dahal and Shiva Gaunle, FNJ General Secretary Ramprasad Dahal, and senior advocates Tikaram Bhattarai and Raman Karna. Kantipur Daily’s Editor-in-Chief, Umesh Chauhan, also weighed in.

A key point of contention was the bill’s perceived emphasis on government oversight. The speakers collectively objected to the bill, warning that it would not serve the media’s interests. They stressed that instead of being a tool for control, the council should function as a high-level coordinating body between media owners, working journalists, and other stakeholders.

The NMS has announced its plan to consult with other stakeholders and formally present its recommendations to the government, calling for necessary amendments to the bill. The organization’s stance reflects a broader sentiment within the media community that the proposed law could undermine press freedom and the autonomy of the media.