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Ruling party ‘ready’ to amend Media Council Bill

Kathmandu, August 29

Ruling party Nepal Communist Party has said it is ready to amend the controversial Media Council Bill. The bill is being tabled at the National Assembly on Thursday and will be discussed on Friday.

NCP chief whip in the Upper House, Khim Lal Bhattarai, says that the bill will be sent to the concerned parliamentary committee after the bill is discussed at the National Assembly. Bhattarai adds that the bill will be amended in a manner which will not curtail press freedom.

However, he does not mention what clause is going to be amended. The leader assures that the bill would only be passed after addressing issues regarding punishment and the formation of the Media Council.

According to a source, the government is planning to remove the provision which would fine and jail journalists for writing fake news. NCP lawmakers have been saying that they are also considering the media’s concern that the Media Council should not be handing out punishments like a court.

The amendment will also change the process of appointing council officials, the source claims.

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