Kathmandu, Feb 20: The Nepal Press Union (NPU) has called on the government to withdraw the controversial 'Social Media Bill, 2081', citing concerns over press freedom and freedom of expression.

The demand was made during the NPU’s national conference of province and chapter presidents, held from February 17-19 under the organization of the Union’s Central Committee. The conference concluded with the adoption of a 12-point declaration highlighting key issues facing the media industry and working journalists.

The NPU expressed serious reservations about certain provisions in the proposed bill, urging the government to consult with relevant stakeholders, particularly regarding clauses that could undermine press freedom and free speech.

The declaration was formulated after in-depth discussions covering the Union’s organizational activities, the challenges faced by working journalists, professional security, evolving technological challenges in the media sector, and prevailing media laws. General Secretary Dilip Poudel presented the organizational report, while Senior Vice President and Disciplinary Department Coordinator Prem KC delivered the disciplinary committee’s report.

The Union pledged to fully implement an action plan to be developed by the Central Committee, based on recommendations from the conference. Emphasizing the need to address journalists’ welfare, the NPU called for strict enforcement of the Working Journalists Act, regular payment of wages, and comprehensive measures ensuring the professional, physical, economic, and social security of media workers.

Raising concerns over attempts to curtail press freedom, the NPU urged all three tiers of government to frame communication-related policies, laws, and regulations in line with constitutional guarantees. The Union expressed alarm at the financial challenges plaguing traditional media, noting that print, television, and radio outlets are facing closures due to a shrinking advertising market.

To address this, the declaration called for the inclusion of online media in public welfare advertising and a fair, proportional distribution of advertisements amidst the surge of new online platforms.

The Union’s province and chapter committees committed to implementing programs aimed at capacity building, vocational journalism training, support for journalists in crisis, insurance coverage, social security benefits, incentives, and writing fellowships under the ‘Press Union with Journalists’ campaign.

Further, the NPU announced plans to initiate the amendment process for the Press Union Statute 2048 (Sixth Amendment-2079) to make it more practical and relevant. It also unveiled plans to host the Lomanthang International Media Summit in Chaitra (March-April), aiming to promote adherence to international media standards in Nepal.

Lastly, the NPU urged the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) to promptly address the exclusion of certain journalists from its membership rolls, calling for an inclusive process to restore their memberships.