Code of conduct essential for Council's employees: Lawmakers

Kathmandu, Aug 11: Parliamentarians have pressed for a code of conduct for the Press Council Nepal's chairman and board members as well.     

During the clause-wise deliberation on the Media Council Bill-2080 BS in the meeting of the Legislation Management Committee under the National Assembly today, they saw a need for such provision to be included in the Bill.     

Presenting amendment to the Bill, Dr Beduram Bhusal argued, "Code of conduct must be put in place for the self-regulation of the Council as well. The code of conduct should be made for Council itself at first. Then only there should be a provision that capacitate the Council to issue code of conduct for media."     

The Council is a statutory body which seeks to promote the standards of a free press besides monitoring the media content.     

Taking part in the deliberation, another lawmaker Ghanashyam Rijal called for an amendment in the Bill, expecting clarity on the provision that the Council's chairman or board members shall be sacked in lack of capacity to deliver well.     

Similarly, Tulasa Dahal asserted that the Bill should clearly stipulate the date for terms of the Council's office-bearers.     

Meanwhile, the Council has been suggesting the government to taking forward the Bill to amend and integrate laws related to Press Council in accordance with the essence and spirit of the constitution of Nepal.(RSS)