The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has started protests demanding withdrawal of the bill that it says curtails press freedom.
FNJ General Secretary Ramesh Bista said it will hold discussion on the bill, that was registered in the parliament on Thursday following endorsement by the Cabinet, with former FNJ office-bearers, editors, advocates and experts Sunday afternoon.
"This bill if passed by the parliament as it is will curtail press freedom," Bista said about the bill that has a provision of imposing fine of up to Rs 1 million for violation of code of conduct. "The bill has been registered in the parliament without consulting the FNJ, Press Council and the stakeholders."
The FNJ has demanded immediate withdrawal of the bill and said the next bill should be drafted in the spirit of Constitution and international norms and values about press and freedom of expression after holding discussions with all the stakeholders.
The FNJ will hand over memorandum letter to speaker of House of Representatives (HoR) and National Assembly chairman on Monday, hold discussions with chairmen and members of different parliamentary committees on Tuesday, work donning black armbands on May 15, and hold demonstrations with press equipment in front of the federal parliament in Kathmandu, and district headquarters on May 17.
The government on Thursday had registered a bill in the parliament that proposes a fine of up to Rs 1 million on journalists violating the code of conduct.
The bill that will turn the current Press Council Nepal into Media Council has proposed a fine of Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 million on the media, its publisher, editor and journalist if they seem to have hurt somebody's dignity and prestige.
The current Press Council Act does not have a provision of fine. It only requires publication of the aggrieved party's version, and recommendation to the government to partially or completely stop government's facilities and benefits for a certain period for repeated violation.
The Media Council can also order compensation for the aggrieved person or institution on top of the fine. "The council can also get the aggrieved persons or institutions compensated if they suffer any loss due to the publication or broadcast of the material violating the code of conduct issued by the council," the bill states.
It has also paved the way for punishment against the journalists as per other laws for violation of code of conduct. The council will have to write to the bodies concerned for such legal action. It also states that punishment for violation of code of conduct will not save the journalists from punishment as per other laws for the same violation.
The bill allows the council to receive assistance from foreign individuals and institutions without government permission, even as the government has registered an amendment bill requiring even the National Human Rights Commission to take permission from the Finance Ministry for accepting foreign assistance.
Qualification for chairman of such a powerful council, however, has been limited to bachelor's degree. Only a retired Supreme Court (SC) justice or senior advocate or a journalist who has made significant contribution through journalism can chair the current Press Council.
The chairman must have a 10-year journalism experience but members need a 15-year experience.
The bill has tried to establish the Media Council as a government body instead of the quasi-judicial the Press Council is now, and the role of Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has been expanded.
Members are nominated by the speaker of House of Representatives (HoR) and National Assembly chairman as per the current Press Council Act but the government will appoint the chairman, and the ministry members as per the bill.
Six members of the nine-strong Council will be appointed by the ministry, with a first-class officer nominated by the ministry, and the Federation of Nepali Journalists chairman being the other members.
The bill also allows the government to sack the chairman and members for unsatisfactory performance whenever it wishes.
