The Center for Media Research- Nepal (CMR-Nepal) organized a virtual discussion program entitled “Situating Media Space in Province 1” on February 19, 2022.
Presenting the paper, journalist Raju Adhikari said that the provisions in the law to regulate media in the Province 1 needs to be amended. He said that the law that was formulated holds the provisions that shrink civic space, media and individual freedom.
Adhikari pointed out the province still lack mechanism to regulate all forms of media. The province only has a law to regulate broadcast media.
Speaking at the occasion Minister of Transport Management and Communication Upendra Prasad Ghimire said that amendment to such restrictive provisions can be done based on the discussion and advices of the media stakeholders.
Minister Ghimire said that any laws that are related to the media sector will only be formed taking in confidence of the stakeholder. He agreed that the laws formed without the participation of the stakeholder cannot be put into practice and the role of media stakeholder to form media related laws are unabated.
He also pointed out that the latest regulation on Media Academy was scrapped because the Act had not been passed. Minister Ghimire said that a committee has been formed to develop a draft law on Media Academy.
Province 1 Parliament Member Sabitra Regmi identified obstacles in putting some laws in practice, so amendments to such laws have also been made. Likewise Parliament Member Sushma Shrestha stressed that the role of stakeholder and expert is highly important and will continue to take their advice in making of the law.
Secretary of Minister of Transport Management and Communication Jaya Kumar Ghimire said that the making of laws in the communication sector falls under concurrent rights, so until and unless the laws are made at the Federal level, making laws at the province level will be difficult. He highlighted the role of stakeholder in making of the laws.
Participants in the program emphasized the role of stakeholders and making of the laws in the province. The program was participated by journalists, media academics and parliamentarians.