Proposal seeking consideration on Media Council Bill approved

Ordinance to amend some Acts related to Investment Facilitation passed

KATHMANDU, June 3: The National Assembly meeting on Sunday unanimously approved the proposal seeking consideration on the 'Media Council Bill, 2080 BS'. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma presented the proposal in the meeting. 

Lawmakers Devendra Dahal, Madan Kumari Saha Garima, Tulasa Kumari Dahal put forth their views on the bills. 

Responding to lawmakers' views on the bill, Minister Sharma informed that it had also incorporated the new media. Inclusion, women and provincial participation were also underlined in it, she added. 

She also reminded that the Media Council Bill was approved by the National Assembly in the past, which was, however, rendered irrelevant later. While preparing the new bill, adequate discussions and consultations were held by forming experts' groups and it was revised as compared to the previous draft, according to her.

The minister expressed confidence that lawmakers could contribute to the bill by providing creative feedback. The bill would be a significant progress to implement the Mass Communication Policy as well. Issues such as documentation of journalists, professional safety of journalists, freedom of expression and self-regulation were paid attention in the bill.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of Legislation Management Committee, Jayanti Devi Rai, presented the report of the committee on safe transaction (first amendment), 2080 BS. 

The meeting on Sunday of the National Assembly has also unanimously approved the 'Ordinance on Amending Some Nepal Acts related to Investment Facilitation, 2081 BS'.

The proposal seeking approval of the Ordinance was presented by Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari. 

The government had introduced the Ordinance in the lead up to the Nepal Investment Summit.

The National Assembly will meet next on Monday.