INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kathmandu, May 15
The National Human Corrects Commission nowadays said its attention was drawn to the Media Council Bill registered by the
government at the federal Parliament on May 10.
In this context, NHRC held a discussion with representatives from the Federation of Nepali
Journalists nowadays.
FNJ officials told the rights body that the constitution process of media council as stipulated by the bill would have
adverse affect on its
autonomy.
Provisions in the bill of giving exclusive power to the media council to investigate into alleged violation
of code of conduct, impose fine or penalty and specify compensation to journalists or a media house was opposite to the universal judicial
norms and values, they said.
FNJ reiterated provision articulated in the proposed bill that only a judicial or a quasi-judicial body had the
power to impose penalty or fine, was motivated by the government intention to curtail the press freedom.
The NHRC said press freedom, human
rights and rule of law were integral parts of democracy.
Press freedom has been guaranteed by the constitution
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Corrects and Article 2A of the constitution have stipulated provisions on right to freedom
of opinion and expression to every citizen,& the rights body said in a press release.
According to Article 19 of the UDHR, everyone has the
right to freedom of opinion and expression
This right includes freedom to articulate one opinions without any interference and to seek, get and impart information and ideas through
any media, regardless of frontiers.
Free, responsible and dignified journalism contributes to accountability and protection and promotion of
Effective protection and promotion of human rights strengthens democracy
Regulation is much an inappropriate degree in itself
But curtailing press freedom in the name of regulation can never be in complyance with the norms and values of human rights,& the NHRC
warned.
Culture of human rights can be strengthened by preserveing the dignity of democracy and that is possible only if the proposed media
council is capable of monitoring and regulating press freedom independently,& according to NHRC
The NHRC is convinced that the attempt to impose restriction on the autonomy of the existing Press Council Act through alteration of its
provisions shall be in contravention of basic norms and values of human rights and rights to expression,& the release states.
The NHRC also
urged the government and all stakeholders to modify the bill after holding refer toation and discussion on its controversial provisions in a
way that didn''t curtail the press freedom and citizens& right to freedom of expression.
