Kathmandu: Press freedom advocates and journalists have emphasized the need for the Media Council Bill to support an independent media industry, asserting that the government should not exert control over the media in a democracy.

During a dialogue on the Bill held on Wednesday, participants voiced their concerns about the potential establishment of the proposed Media Council as a government entity. They argued that the council, which would replace the existing Press Council, should be independent, accountable to citizens, and answerable to the parliament.

Advocate Santosh Sigdel highlighted the importance of press freedom for the effective implementation of the Constitution. He called for clear provisions in the Bill to support the establishment and promotion of an independent media industry. Sigdel also criticized the concept of "decent journalism" outlined in the Bill, arguing that it is not the government's role to set limits on media in the name of decency, as this could lead to moral policing.

Senior journalist and press freedom advocate Taranath Dahal stated that the proposed Media Council must function as an independent regulatory body, not as an extension of the government. He expressed concerns about Clause 15 of the Bill, which involves bureaucrats in the appointment and dismissal processes of the Council Chairperson. Dahal suggested that these roles should be shared with the legislature, involving the National Assembly Chairperson and a House of Representatives member in the appointment process.

Another senior journalist, Suresh Acharya, warned that the media sector would not accept the Bill in its current form. He stressed that the Council should be regulated by the parliament, not the government, and that state control over media content is unacceptable.

Nirmala Sharma, a senior journalist, emphasized that inclusion in state structures is a constitutional agenda. She asserted that the proposed Media Council should align with this principle and that any Bill, including the Media Council Bill, must strengthen democracy and press freedom.

Balkrishna Basnet, Chairperson of Press Council Nepal, noted that no state structure should be established contrary to the Constitution. He also proposed that the Bill address issues related to digital journalism.

The Bill is currently under discussion in the National Assembly's Legislation Committee, after being tabled by the government on April 18. Committee Chairperson Jayanti Devi Rai assured participants that their feedback would be seriously considered to ensure the Bill's broader acceptability.

The dialogue was organized by the Nepal FM Network with support from the UNDP Parliament Support Project.