Freedom Forum is concerned over the Press Council's statement about regulating content published on social media platforms.
This statement was originally published on freedomforum.org.np on 19 November 2024.
The Press Council blacklisted four news media, Trinetra weekly, YoHo Television, Koshipost.com and khojtalasonline.com, for allegedly publishing contents against the journalistic code of conduct. According to the statement issued on November 10, those media were blacklisted for disobeying the council’s instruction and publishing information without fact-checking.
Similarly, the Council wrote to the Nepal Police, Cyber bureau urging them to investigate the YouTube channel Purvanchal dbr TV for sharing misleading content.
Moreover, the statement issued on November 12 reads: “PCN has been conducting special monitoring of social media accounts, especially Facebook and YouTube channels both associated or non-associated with media. Those platforms which are associated with news media will be monitored as per the Journalist code of conduct and others will be monitored and [there will be] communication with the Nepal Police for further action if they are found to be publishing misleading, obscene contents and those inciting violence.
According to the Council, a separate procedure has been formulated to monitor social media platforms.
Freedom Forum is concerned over the Press Council’s statement and intent to regulate contents published on social media platforms. The Council is authorized to regulate news media as per the Journalist code of conduct but monitoring and regulation of social media platforms is beyond its jurisdiction. FF has repeatedly urged the Council to not go beyond its jurisdiction, thereby creating a space to breach citizens’ right to free speech guaranteed by the constitution.
