KATHMANDU, JANUARY 31

The government's proposed bill, "Bill on the Operation, Use, and Regulation of Social Media," registered in the National Assembly, has sparked strong criticism from advocates of press and freedom of expression.

On Monday, the government introduced the Social Media Bill in the National Assembly, the Upper House of Parliament, proposing harsh penalties for social media platforms and users who violate rules. Since its release, the bill has received widespread criticism from press freedom watchdog organizations, experts, and netizens.

Speakers at a program organized by the Forum of Nepalese Journalist to hand over certificates to newly elected National and Provincial Council members of the Federation of Nepali Journalist (FNJ) emphasized that the bill is unacceptable to those who support press freedom.

Ram Prasad Dahal, Central General Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalist, stated that the bill is against freedom of expression. He warned that the proposed bill risks narrowing press and freedom of expression. Dahal also added that social media is an important medium for information and expression exchange in a democratic society, attempts to impose strict controls on it signal an encroachment on these freedoms.

Dahal urged the government to respect press and freedom of expression, calling for the withdrawal of the bill. He emphasized that the bill should be amended and revised only after discussions with journalists, human rights activists, civil society, and stakeholders. He also warned that the FNJ, as a leading civil society organization, would not remain silent if the bill is pushed forward without such consultations.

Similarly, Yuvaraj Bidrohi, Central President of the Forum of Nepalese Journalist, stressed that journalists and media must operate under a code of conduct while strongly representing the voices of people. He added that while journalists must be cautious to avoid character assassination in the name of freedom, the government's proposed bill seeks to restrict citizens' fundamental rights, including the right to question and speak, and must be immediately amended.

The program, attended by central member Manuka Kunwar of the FNJ and Royal Acharya, President of the FNJ Associate Provincial Committee, saw certificates handed over to Madan Kumar Shrestha, Ombandhu Karki, and Ramesh Prasad Ghimire, who were unanimously elected as National Council members, as well as Provincial Council members Ghanshyam Shrestha, Geeta Thapa, Sushma Devkota, Mukund Lamichhane, Shiromani Dawadi, Sushila Dhakal, Shiv Ballabh Regmi, Sheshmani Sharma, Gaurav Pokhrel, Keshav Kumar Basnet, and Kumar Bhandari. Central General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal distributed the certificates.

The event, chaired by Central Vice President of Forum of Nepalese Journalist Chandramani Bhattarai, and conducted by Central General Secretary of Forum of Nepalese Journalist Bimal Thapa, saw significant participation, including FNJ Associate Provincial Committee Treasurer Rajendra Prajapati and members Santosh Mishra and Suwas Paudel.