GANDAKI, AUGUST 22

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, said the government was introducing a bill on operation and regulation of social networks so that anarchy fueled in the name of media would be curbed.

At a press conference organized by the Press Chautari Nepal Kaski chapter today, Minister Gurung, who is also a CPN UML leader, argued efforts were made to spread the misleading information on the bill. 'The bill on social networks is not for control, but for regulation. We have a democratic government. So, democratic values will not be compromised,' Minister Gurung argued.

He, however, made it clear that it is imperative to control cyber crimes because such activities can not be favourable to nationality, national independence and unity. Cyber crime is an emerging threat, requiring support from multiple sides. In the last 10 months alone, over 29,000 complaints relating to cyber crimes were registered in police offices, according to the Minister.

Similarly, the Media Council Bill the government has forwarded would regulate all sorts of media. The present bill will be capable to regulate online media.

The Spokesperson of the government further informed that old laws would be amended and new ones made on communication sector.