Kathmandu
The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has urged President Ram Chandra Poudel not to issue the ordinance designed to amend the Press Council Act, 2048 BS.
A delegation comprising the FNJ President, office-bearers, advisors and central members met with President Poudel on Friday and drew the attention of the ordinance on the impact of the provisions on press freedom and freedom of expression. Talking to Nepal News Bank after the meeting, FNJ Vice-President Umid Prasad Bagchand said that the ordinance was brought without consulting the media sector stakeholders. He further said that the FNJ has objected to the attempt to keep the Press Council under the Ministry or an integral organ of the government instead of allowing it to remain an independent body.
“This bill has been brought for the media sector, for the journalism sector, without consulting us, without consulting the stakeholders. Many things in it are trying to make the journalism sector difficult and to keep the Press Council, which is an independent body, under the government or ministry,” he said.
Bagchand said that the FNJ has requested the President to stop the study and reform of the ordinance for some time without immediately forwarding it.
The FNJ has demanded the government to formulate laws in a way to give priority to press freedom and freedom of expression in a democratic system.
“We urge the Honorable President to consider this issue and pause for some time, study and improve it, and move it forward in a way that is appropriate for the people and individuals and organizations associated with the press in a way that everyone feels a sense of belonging,” he said.
Bagchand said that he talked to President Poudel for about 15 minutes.
During the meeting, the President said that he would consult with legal advisors and lawyers.
“The President has said, ‘Okay, I will consult with legal advisors or lawyers’. He said he will consult the lawyers to see what happens in this matter, how it will happen,” Bagchand said.
The FNJ has drawn the attention of the President on the impact of the ordinance provisions on press freedom and freedom of expression.
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