KATHMANDU, Sept 11: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has formed a 15-member taskforce, seeking suggestions on the recently enforced Criminal Code 2074 in view of its criticism that various provisions curtail freedom of expression. 

The Ministry level decision has given the coordination responsibility to senior journalist, Dev Prakash Tripathi, having various members from the media organizations including, FNJ President Govinda Acharya, its former President Dharmendra Jha, Chairman of Nepal Press Institute, Tirtha Koirala, and Chairman of Media Society Chairman Shuva Shankar Kandel, said Assistant Spokesperson at Ministry, Mukunda Sharma. 

The taskforce would furnish recommendation how the Code could be made freedom of expression friendly if it was to curtail FoE. The taskforce with the 45-day term would study the national and international practices, Nepal's original practices and consult the stakeholders. 

The Ministry has issued the press release saying that it was open to receive any suggestions from the media sector if any law created confusions in terms of ensuring press and FoE freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution. 

The FNJ has decided to launch nationwide agitation against the Criminal and Civil Codes, arguing that the Codes had some provision that would peril the press and FoE. 

The press release further said the government had no intention to stifle press freedom but make media respected and accountable because it is the backbone of democracy. RSS

 
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