Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Gobinda Prasad Sharma has said that the government was ready to amend laws that are against press freedom. The government was against bringing any laws against press freedom and was in favour of amending laws against press freedom (if any), he said at an event organised here on Tuesday jointly by the Media Action Nepal (MAN) and Online TV Journalists Association on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.
"Nepal is committed to press freedom and anything against it will not be mentioned in laws. The government is against the surveillance on journalists and encircling press freedom."
Stating that the government should make press accountable instead of controlling it, he said, "Press should be made responsible if it goes against criminal and civil laws."
The minister also blamed the parliament obstruction for long for failure to amend laws directly related to people.
Similarly on the occasion, Director General of the Department of Information and Broadcasting Gogan Bahadur Hamal said that the government was ready to amend any laws against press freedom.
Chief administrative officer of the Press Council Nepal Jhabindra Bhusal said the Council was monitoring activities against press freedom. Also, senior journalist Dr Kundan Aryal said that suggestion from experts should be sought in making laws related to press.
Senior journalist Babita Basnet and chairperson of the Sancharika Samuha Bimala Tumbahamphe viewed that problems have arisen due to lack of laws related to press.
MAN chairperson Laxman Datta Panta and the Association chairperson Jeevan Bhandari focused on the challenges and opportunities facing online media ahead.
Source: National News Agency Nepal
