Law to regulate social networks: Minister Gurung

Gandaki, Aug 22: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, said the government was introducing a bill on the operation and regulation of social networks so that anarchy fueled in the name of media would be curbed.

At a press conference organised by the Press Chautari Nepal Kaski chapter on Friday, Minister Gurung, who is also a CPN UML leader, argued that efforts were made to spread the misleading information on the bill. "The bill on social networks is not for control, but for regulation. We have a democratic government. So, democratic values will not be compromised," Minister Gurung argued.

He, however, made it clear that it is imperative to control cyber crimes because such activities can not be favourable to nationality, national independence and unity. Cybercrime is an emerging threat, requiring support from multiple sides. In the last 10 months alone, over 29,000 complaints relating to cyber crimes were registered in police offices, according to the Minister.          

Similarly, the Media Council Bill that the government has forwarded would regulate all sorts of media. The present bill will be capable of regulating online media.

The government spokesperson further informed us that old laws would be amended and new ones made in the communication sector. (RSS)