Some parliamentarians and influential leaders of the ruling party raised questions on the provisions of the bill
Public criticism has started regarding the provisions of the social media bill introduced by the government. Some MPs and leaders of the ruling party are questioning some provisions of the bill.
Concerned organizations have also demanded that the bill be withdrawn or amended saying that it is against freedom of expression and democratic values.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists has criticized the proposed provisions of the bill. It has said that any law that curtails and controls freedom of press and expression will not be accepted. General Secretary of the Federation, Ram Prasad Dahal, issued a statement and protested. "The federation expresses serious disagreement and objection if the government advances the bill without even general consultation and discussion with the stakeholders, including the Federation of Civil Society Organizations, including some provisions that affect the freedom of the press and expression," the Federation said. The Federation requests the Government of Nepal and the Federal Parliament to advance the bill only by correcting the provisions that stifle the freedom of press and expression in harmony with the values of freedom of expression, our constitutional provisions and prevailing practice.
Member of Parliament Bishwa Prakash Sharma, who is also the General Minister of the ruling Congress, said that the bill containing provisions to curtail freedom of expression is not acceptable. "The bill that curtails the freedom of expression, press council or other agencies can't be supported in a criminal case," said Sharma, "Some rules are necessary to crack down on disinformation, misinformation." It is necessary to regulate expression of people by creating fake ID. In order to regulate, the two parties in the government could sit together, consult and take others into confidence and go to an angle that does not affect the freedom of expression. Have to go there again. It is not possible to support what has come now.' 'The intention behind this bill does not seem right,' said the statement signed by Acting General Minister Kavindra Burlakoti, 'The law against freedom of speech and expression is not acceptable under any circumstances.'' There is a response. Journalist organizations close to the ruling party and the opposition have also opposed the bill. Dilip Paudel, Secretary General of Nepal Press Union, an organization of journalists close to the Congress, has issued a statement saying that the purpose of the bill and the provisions laid down in it do not match and that the provision will affect the freedom of press and expression. Press Center, an organization of journalists close to the main opposition Maoists, has alleged that the bill was introduced after the activities and decisions of the government became the subject of public criticism.
UML Deputy Secretary General Pradeep Gyawali said that the Social Media Bill will be passed only after sufficient discussion in the Parliament. "A bill to regulate social networks has been submitted," he said, "This bill has come to the sovereign parliament, after sufficient discussion, it will take the form of an Act." There is no need to make any biased opinion about it. He said that democracy should be limited and UML is in favor of criticism. "However, what should be noted is that democracy survives only if it is moderated," he added, "if it starts pushing towards limitlessness, anarchy, and chauvinism, democracy can become weak." . Some of the provisions proposed in the
bill will stifle the right to freedom of thought and expression guaranteed by Article 17 of the Constitution, and experts and general users of social media and press freedom have also criticized it. According to them, provisions such as imprisonment for up to 5 years and a fine of up to 15 lakh rupees can be misused and misinterpreted if the user transmits false or misleading information to the detriment of the national interest through anonymous or disguised identity (fake ID, page, group). Stakeholders have criticized the proposal to fine social media platforms from 5 lakhs to 1.5 lakhs repeatedly if they do not remove the content that the government has instructed to remove.
