National Assembly approves Media Council Bill

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 11: The National Assembly meeting unanimously passed the Media Council Bill, 2023 on Tuesday. The proposal for the bill, along with the report from the Legislative Management Committee, was presented by Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.

Earlier in the meeting, MP Rajendra Lakshmi Gaire took part in the clause-by-clause discussion of the Bill. 

Minister Gurung responded to the questions raised during the discussion, explaining that the Bill had undergone long deliberations in the Legislative Management Committee before being presented to the National Assembly. He urged lawmakers to pass the Bill unanimously, highlighting its importance in ensuring the autonomy of the Media Council, granting it full authority to regulate and self-regulate the media sector.

The Media Council Bill, initially introduced by former Minister for Communications Rekha Sharma on April 24, 2024, aims to amend and unify the laws surrounding the Media Council. It was officially presented to the National Assembly on May 26. The Bill intends to establish an autonomous regulatory body for journalism, promoting clean, independent, and accountable journalism practices. It also seeks to transform the existing Press Council into the Media Council, incorporating the technological advancements and changes in the media landscape.

The Bill highlights the need for laws that protect and regulate the media industry while ensuring the dignity, responsibility, accountability, and trustworthiness of journalism in its various forms:  print, electronic, and online. The establishment of an autonomous Media Council will also handle complaints related to violations of the code of conduct within journalism.

During the meeting, National Assembly Secretary Surendra Aryal shared a message from the House of Representatives regarding the Bill. The Bill has now been passed by both Houses and will be sent to the President for certification before becoming law.

Similarly, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Secure Transactions (First Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill was presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, who highlighted that its implementation would ensure safer and more organized transactions based on movable property collateral.

Minister Paudel informed the House that the amendments in the Bill would help fulfill obligations on movable property, thus stimulating economic activity tied to such assets. The amendments make it easier to secure loans based on movable property, such as vehicles, crops, and other tangible assets, and prioritize the first transaction if collateral is pledged multiple times. The Bill will now go to the National Assembly for further consideration.

Meanwhile, the government withdrew the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility (First Amendment) Bill under consideration in the Parliament after an ordinance with similar provisions was issued. The Bill, which aimed to amend the Economic Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act, was withdrawn following the recommendation of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives.

The ordinance, issued in January 2024, introduced changes to the pre-budget discussion schedule, making it a month earlier than before. It also amended provisions related to the transfer of funds, resources, and programme adjustments.

Similarly, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak submitted three important bills to the House of Representatives including the Nepal Citizenship Second Amendment Bill, Nepal Police Bill, and Armed Police Force, Nepal Bill. Despite opposition notices registered by MPs, these bills have been submitted for further consideration.

Likewise, the 61st Annual Report of the Auditor General and the National Natural Resources and Finance Report were presented in the House of Representatives. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, on behalf of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, presented the reports to the House.

Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi announced Key Environmental Initiatives in House of Representatives meeting. He committed to rehabilitating the herbal processing centre in Shankharapur Municipality in the upcoming fiscal year's budget. The center’s revival aims to address herb waste, and preparations for a national adaptation plan are also underway. Minister Shahi stressed the need for local climate finance and extended discussions to manage forest tourism.

The minister highlighted ongoing work in fire control through sustainable forest management, including fire line creation in National Parks and new water ponds in forest areas. He also announced plans for the open zoological park in Tanahun next year.

Addressing the increasing frequency of forest fires, which cause significant damage, Minister Shahi noted that the problem arises from unaddressed forest management, land bareness, and deliberate fires. He revealed that statistics show more fire incidents in Bagmati Province, with one death reported in Karnali this year. Efforts are in place to control these fires with active collaboration from local and district authorities.

In response to questions from lawmakers, Shahi discussed the government’s ongoing efforts to control the monkey and wild boar menace, the buffer zone issue at Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park, and carbon trade agreements. He also outlined the ministry’s plan to discourage the import of foreign wood through sustainable forest management.

The next meeting of the House of Representatives is scheduled for February 11 at 1 PM and the next National Assembly meeting will take place on February 16 at 1:15 PM.