Himal Press 
ITAHARI: The Justice, Administration, and Legislation Committee of the Koshi Provincial Assembly on Wednesday passed the Koshi Province Mass Communication Management Bill, 2024, which, among other provisions, includes a clause to fine journalists up to Rs 150,000.
According to the Bill, a government-appointed Press Registrar will be empowered to take action if a complaint is filed against any news content. The committee plans to present the Bill’s report to the provincial assembly meeting on August 22. The Bill will become law once it is endorsed by the provincial assembly and duly authenticated.
The Bill grants the registrar quasi-judicial authority to impose fines of up to Rs 150,000 on journalists or media outlets and to order compensation to victims. It also authorizes the registrar to halt broadcasts or revoke licenses of media houses that defy government directives.
Earlier, the Koshi Province Committee of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) had suggested making its chairperson the executive head of the Press Registrar’s Office and appointing the registrar from among civil servants. However, the committee rejected the proposal.
Sources say the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML have divided key positions in the office among themselves. Under the agreement, the post of registrar will go to the UML, while the NC will assume the ceremonial chairmanship.
The provision granting sweeping powers to a politically appointed registrar has raised concerns that it could intimidate journalists and discourage independent journalism. Traditionally, regulation of the media has been overseen by the Press Council Nepal, but the Koshi provincial government appears to have bypassed that mechanism to impose tighter controls on the press.
