On April 11, 2023, an academic discourse titled “Media Law Reform in Nepal” was held in Kathmandu with the aim of providing recommendations to the Mass Communication Sector Suggestion Reform Committee, responsible for reviewing new media laws in Nepal.
The committee’s coordinator, Suresh Acharya, and members Mahendra Bista, Babita Basnet, and Govinda Acharya were present at the program.
During the event, committee members discussed their efforts to address policy and practical concerns related to the creation of media laws in the current technological era.
They reiterated their commitment to upholding Nepal’s press freedom and values of freedom of expression.
Academics specializing in media studies suggested four major areas of focus for the committee.
These included emphasizing the importance of not undermining press freedom and freedom of expression, advocating for an inclusive, independent, and autonomous governing body structure, reforming existing laws and regulations in the media domain with changes and continuity, and promoting diverse discussions with different groups for ownership of the draft laws.
Following the event, CMR-Nepal provided additional suggestions to the Committee.