KATHMANDU, May 23: Expressing their concern over the proposed media council bill, the editors of mainstream media have urged the government to withdraw the bill.

Issuing a joint press statement after a meeting on Thursday, as many as 21 editors of mainstream dailies, news magazines, online news portals and televisions have expressed their solidarity to the protest of the FNJ and other stakeholders against the bill and assured their commitment to protect the press freedom ensured by the constitution.

Stating that the provisions in the proposed media council bill will have wide-ranging implications for the media, the editors have reiterated that the bill is against the democratic norms and values and will restrict press freedom.

Maintaining that they are aware of malpractice and negligence in the media sector, the editors in the statement have stressed the need for addressing the problems in the sector. They have criticized the government for not holding any discussion with the stakeholders and strongly urged the government to withdraw the bill and to address the issue with the consent of the stakeholders.  

 
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