Kathmandu – The Federation of Nepali Journalists has expressed serious concerns over some provisions of the bill on the operation, use and regulation of social media that the government has registered in the federal parliament.

Issuing a statement, the federation expressed serious disagreement and objection to the government’s move forward with the bill without even normal consultation and discussion with stakeholders, including some provisions that will undermine the freedom of the press and expression.

Citizens have warned the government that serious questions have been raised about the bill registered in the parliament by the government, and that if fundamental changes are not made to the bill, conscious citizens understand that it will not regulate social media but will control the constitutional right of citizens to speak.

The statement issued by the Federation states that the bill should be moved forward only by correcting the provisions that restrict freedom of the press and expression in a manner that is consistent with global human rights, values ​​of freedom of the press and expression, constitutional provisions, and prevailing practices through in-depth dialogue with stakeholders including the Federation, and that any law that restricts and controls freedom of the press and expression will not be acceptable.