KATHMANDU, March 26: Stakeholders from the media houses have demanded to scrap Online Media Operation Directive- 2017 BS that was recently issued by the government.
In a program organized by the Online Journalist Association on Sunday, the representatives from Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ), Nepal Press Union, Press Chautari Nepal, Press Centre and Sancharika Samuha among others unanimously agreed to scrap the directive. They have also agreed to launch the campaign for it.
Govt issues online media directive
They decided to challenge the government in the court citing The Directive meant for systematizing online media incorporates some provisions which contravene with the concepts of freedom of expression and free press.
Ministry of Information and Communication has issued the directive based on Governance act 2007 on March 20.
Speaking at the program, FNJ President Dr. Mahendra Bista objected to the issue of the directive and said that the issue of the directive is more of controlling over the concept of free press rather than monitoring. He urged the government to withdraw the directive and warned the government to face the consequences if not.
Chairman of Online Journalist Association, Shiva Satyal accused the government of controlling the free press and claimed that the directive could not be accepted which is issued with erroneous motive.
