Nepal, whose constitution press guarantees freedom, is considered one of the independent countries of Asia. In 2024, the Himalayan nation replaced boundaries (RSF) 2024 without reporters at 74th out of 180. World Press Freedom Index.
However, a new bill aimed at regulating social media has expressed concern over its possible impact on freedom of speaking.
Critics argue that its vague commission can oppose political dissatisfaction and constitutional protected rights.
The government claims that the aim of the bill is to promote decency and transparency online. This makes social media account registration mandatory for various firms and gives officers the power to remove “indecent” or “misleading” content.
The bill, which “oversee social media operations, use and regulation”, has proposed to ban social media organizations that do not register in Nepal.
It proposes the booklet and imprisonment of up to five years to spread false information, and criminalize posting on social media under anonymity or false identity.
What does the bill propose?
The proposed law requires every social media platform working in Nepal – search as Facebook, X, and others – to remove operating permissions to work in the country.
Similarly, it outlines restrictions on social media use, restricting activities that are harmful to national interests, including cyberbulling, extraction, hacking and privacy violations.
So users harm the prestige of vulgar or graphic materials, defamation comments, aggressive words, images or visual -visuals, damaging the reputation of one’s reputation, as well as damaging hatred speech.
While rights activists accept the need for Somai regulation, they argue that such measures should be applied through a self-regulation and public awareness approach rather than government control and punitive measures.
Professor Rukamani Maharjan, assistant professor at Nepal Law Campus, said, “The bill should focus on implementing strict government control rather than creating a competent environment for self-regulation and promoting digital literacy.”
He said, “Unfit, bill has been drafted from a crime-and-a-day perspective, discovering works as spreading rumors, using pseudo-names, or with the approval of the former government with social media accounts As construction, “he said.
He warned that the bill can create self-sensorship among intellectuals and can unevenly affect those who are less digital literate and inadvertently share misleading materials.
He said, “Sexual and gender minority, search as LGBTQ+ community, often rely on anonymous handle to share their crisis and experience,” he said.
“This bill can suppress their voice by criminalizing oblivion with vague definitions and excessive government control.”
Bill ‘can curb criticism’
Many critics suspect that the bill aims to calm dissatisfaction and curb public criticism, which is increasing due to poor performance of the government, its strong parliamentary majority.
While social media affected have launched the hashtag #Bolnadeasarkar (let us speak, government), major political parties and mainstream news media organizations have been largely silent.
Freedom Forum Nepal President Taranath Dahal told DW that opposition parties had no reason to speak against the bill as they pushed similar measures when they were in power.
Hey said that the mainstream media may feel that their audience and revenue has decreased due to widespread use of social media.
“I believe they will understand its great implications, which aims to regulate all internet-based communications, including journalism, with punitive measures,” Dahal said, who said, who said, who is the former chairman of the Federation of Nepali journalists Are.
“If approved, it will suppress dissatisfaction and [target] Political opponents.
Dahl argues that the bill press opposed major constitutional principles, including freedom of freedom and freedom of expression.
Dahal said, “From its vague definition of social media to its broad commission, the bill is deeply flawed. It regulates instead of regulating from a criminal point of view instead of consuming it as a civil matter.”
what happens next?
The government under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is adamant about advancing the bill.
Nepal’s Information Minister, Prithvi Subba Gurung has defended the proposal citing the need to curb cyberbulling and other online.
He said, “If we endanger national unity, sovereign, or social harmony through social media, we cannot be indifferent,” he said.
“This bill is not about restricting freedom of expression, but about regulating chaos, chaos and online independence.”
Once the Restria Sabha (National Assembly, Upper House) approves the bill, law manufacturers want to go to amend amendment.
Subsequently, the bill will be sent to Pratinidhi Sabha (Lower House, or Representative Assembly) for further discussions before going back to the Restria Sabha for review. After that, it will be sent to the President’s office to sign the law.
Edited by: Keith Walker
