Kaski — Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced Friday that the Nepal government is introducing a comprehensive legislative framework to regulate social networks, seeking to mitigate the proliferation of misinformation and the destabilizing effects of unchecked digital communication.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the Press Chautari Nepal Kaski chapter, Minister Gurung, also a CPN (UML) stands for the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) leader, said that the proposed Social Network Regulation Bill is designed to ensure responsible digital discourse rather than impose authoritarian control. “Nepal is a democratic polity, and democratic principles will remain inviolable,” he asserted, countering concerns over potential restrictions on free expression.

The Minister underscored the escalating threat posed by cybercrime, citing official statistics that more than 29,000 complaints relating to cyber offenses were lodged with law enforcement in the past ten months alone. Gurung emphasized that such activities pose significant risks to national sovereignty, security, and social cohesion, necessitating a multi-pronged regulatory and institutional response.

In parallel, the government has advanced the Media Council Bill, intended to establish regulatory oversight over traditional and digital media platforms alike. Existing laws within the communications sector are slated for amendment, with new provisions aimed at fortifying governance, accountability, and transparency in media operations.

Officials maintain that these legislative initiatives reflect a nuanced approach to harmonizing technological innovation, freedom of expression, and national security imperatives in an increasingly digitized public sphere.