Nepal: Committee formed to draft new media laws

Nepalese Minister for Information and Communications, Surendra Kumar Karki, said on Saturday that a recommendation committee has been formed for drafting new media laws in conformity with the National Media Policy, 2016.

Speaking at a press meet, Karki said, "Similarly, an initiative has been taken to establish an Information Hub at the Department of Information with an objective of circulating all kinds of information from a single point. The government has forwarded the necessary process for implementing the provision allowing 50 per cent discount to working journalists for medical service in government-run hospitals."

As per the new policy, information and communications system will be developed as a medium to uplift people's living standards and to institutionalise the federal democratic republic, reports the Himalayan Times.

It has also provided for a provision to recognise media as information and knowledge-based service industry by classifying them as self-employment, small, medium-sized and large investment enterprises.

With the implementation of the policy, the government will adopt a clean feed (without added graphics and text as advertisement for commercial purpose) policy for foreign television channels that wish to obtain broadcast licence in Nepal.

According to a press statement by the ministry, monitoring committees have been formed and eventually mobilised to ascertain whether or not media outlets are paying journalists minimum salary prescribed by the government.

It also said that the ministry would also digitise cable television networks by May 1, 2019.

"The government will also start providing grants to the organisations relating to journalism within the current fiscal by approving its procedure. Necessary study is under way for the implementation of proportional ad to media, security of mediapersons and support to media operating from remote areas," added the release.