Freedom also includes accountability, says CIT Minister

Kathmandu : Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada has said that the CIT Ministry should start with its own digitalization first by utilizing the advancement of the information technology. As the government has adopted a digital framework, we should become paperless in our activities henceforth.

In his comments after visiting the Press Council Nepal office here today, he said the entire media sector needs to be alert of the new media activities that have been hurting people’s pride, socio-political life and relations between countries. It is the duty of the Council to take action against such media, and complaints registered needs to be addressed.

The CIT minister also sought suggestions over the proposed media law. However, freedom should also include accountability, he said. On the occasion, acting chair of Press Council Kishore Shrestha shared about the poor state of registration of media, especially news portal, as many get registered only for legal protection. The council is doing the work of monitoring and also taking complaints.

Chief Administrative Officer Jhabindra Bhusal shared that the Council sought clarification from 197 news portal while 104 were blocked from dissemination in the country during the four months of COVID-19 pandemic.