KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 24
In the wake of widespread criticism of the Social Media Bill (SMB) presented in the National Assembly, the Upper House of the federal parliament, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, has defended it, stating that the bill to regulate the operation and use of social media is necessary to protect national unity and social harmony.
Speaking at an interaction programme here today, Minister Gurung clarified that the bill on social media regulation is not intended to shut down any media or online medium, but rather to regulate indiscriminate anti-social and anti-national expression on social media.
Stating that the current government supports democracy and press freedom, Minister Gurung said, "We have attempted to regulate those who misuse social media and interfere with democracy through the bill, and we do not intend to silence the voices of any media, journalists, or citizens."
He also asked the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and other stakeholders to propose clause-by-clause amendments to the bill, which is currently being debated in the National Assembly.
On the other hand, organisations working in the field of free expression have vehemently opposed the bill and have called for its repeal.
Speaking at a discussion organised by Shanti Samaj Nepal in Kathmandu last Friday (February 21) on the Social Media Bill, senior journalist Kishor Nepal, said that the Social Media Bill makes no sense. "Rather than opposing it, it should be burnt in front of top leaders and the Singha Durbar (government executive secretariat), and experts and activists, including journalists in the field, should lead it," he said.
Taranath Dahal, Executive Chief of the Freedom Forum, blasted the bill, saying it violates the ground norm established by the Constitution of Nepal on fundamental freedom.
"None of the articles and clauses outlined in the bills are consistent with our constitution and fundamental freedoms," he stated. "It must be repealed and rewritten."
The International Federation of Journalists issued a statement today stating that the Social Media Bill, in its current form, threatens to severely restrict press freedom and online expression. "Digital spaces can be regulated without compromising the rights of Nepali journalists or opening media workers up to spurious cases," reads the IFJ statement. "This bill must be withdrawn or subject to significant amendments limiting its potential to be weaponised against the media."
Similarly, Media Action Nepal, opposing the Social Media Bill, stated that it threatens civil liberties and press freedom.
"The Government of Nepal has strategically presented a Social Media Bill (SMB) in the Upper House with heavy penalties ranging from NPR 50,000 to NPR 10 million to stifle dissenting voices, as imposing heavy penalties is the ultimate way for the authorities to instill an ambience of fear amongst the general public," reads its website.
Similarly, Ram Prasad Dahal, general secretary of FNJ, spoke on Friday during an interaction programme launched by Shanti Samaj Nepal, saying, "We have already informed the government about our stance. If the bill moved forward in the same manner, we would take to the streets, and we remain steadfast in our stance," he said.
Meanwhile, Gurung urged the FNJ to make suggestions during the clause-by-clause debate to make the bill more popular, rather than agitating against it.
"Intellectual journalists should not agitate, but rather make additional recommendations to improve the bill," he said. "The proposed social media bill is a regulation rather than a restriction."
