The National Assembly of Nepal passed the ‘Media Council Bill 2080’ on Monday despite opposition from media professionals. It also proposes that the Press Council of Nepal be replaced with the Media Council Nepal, headed by an individual appointed by the government. Critics say it could compromise the council’s independence.
The council will be composed of a chairperson and 11 members, who will be responsible for regulating media conduct and advising the government on media policy. While the bill does require the chairperson to have the same qualifications as a Supreme Court judge, there are still worries about how much influence the government has over the appointment process.