With the world witnessing an alarming rise in the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and fatalities each passing day, it is necessary for Nepal to step up tougher measures to contain the possible transmission of the deadly virus. Although the country has so far reported just five cases of COVID-19 infection, the government as well as general people must remain alert against the possible outbreak. The government has already extended the nationwide lockdown for one more week and put a ban on all the scheduled international flights until April 8 to stop the virus from being spread further. It has also laid focus on carrying out tests of suspected people.  It is the responsibility of the people belonging to all walks of life to join hands with the government to fight the virus.
In such a critical situation, the media has an important role to play in making people aware about the virus. However, it is sad to note that some online media outlets were found spreading rumours about the pandemic by violating the code of journalists while reporting on the COVID-19 related incidents from March 23-30. As per a news report published in this daily, the Press Council Nepal (PCN) has already sought explanations from 36 media outlets for flouting the journalistic ethics.  The PCN has initiated its action against 17 web portals after receiving complaints that some of them had not been registered as per the Online Media Operation Guidelines, 2073 BS (First Amendment, 2074 BS). They were found disseminating contents that were unfounded and misleading. After monitoring their activities, the PCN has concluded that the web portals will not be permitted to publish and broadcast within the country.  The council has also refuted what it termed ‘false publicity’ that some online media were closed and barred from operating within Nepal because of dissemination of misinformation.
The PCN said that its action was based on the provisions mentioned Clause 3, Sub-clause (4) of the Guidelines which states that online media cannot be operated without registering. Besides, the organisation also referred to the Clause 10 (A) and (B) of the Online Media Operation Guidelines, 2073 BS. Such contents are prohibited for publication and dissemination as per the Constitution of Nepal and the existing laws. Likewise, Clause (B) states contents contradicting with the Journalists’ Code of Conduct must not be published or broadcasted. The fresh step taken by the PCN is expected to be helpful for regulating the web portals in the country.
Meanwhile, Nepal Police took action against as many as 2,300 persons standing on the roadside of the Kathmandu Valley for three hours for violating the lockdown on Tuesday alone. Police officials informed that they were held from different parts of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts. Majority of the violators were pedestrians and bikers. Standing on the roadside, those violating the rule had to listen to a lecture on the importance of staying home during the lockdown. The police administration has introduced this rule to discourage the tendency of defying the lockdown. One and all must abide by the nationwide lockdown to help prevent the outbreak of the pandemic.