KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has urged journalists not to become ‘emotional’ regarding the Media Council Bill.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by Press Chautari Nepal on the provisions of the Media Council Bill, Minister Gurung clarified that journalists are an integral part of society, and the government does not intend to treat this sector differently from others.

He stated that journalists’ objections regarding the appointment recommendation provisions in the bill were not entirely justified.

“It is not necessary that only journalists should represent all press-related institutions,” Gurung said. “Since the Council is a regulatory body, a provision allowing a former judge to be appointed as its chairperson is appropriate.”

Minister Gurung argued that the belief that recommendations made by a minister are political, but not those by the Speaker or President, is a flawed notion.

He further mentioned that individuals aspiring to become the Council’s chairperson should be willing to undergo examinations and interviews. The idea that someone aiming to lead a regulatory body should not be tested at all is illogical, he said.

Gurung urged Press Chautari to study the bill thoroughly and provide constructive suggestions to the government without being swayed by emotions.

At the interaction, Ganesh Pandey, Chairperson of Press Chautari, said the program was organized with the intention of making the bill controversy-free and ensuring maximum benefit for journalists.

Former President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Shiva Gaunle, remarked that globally, media councils function as ‘Press Complaint Councils’, thus, it is essential that media consumers have significant representation in the council.