'Legal reforms underway to curb misuse of social media'

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Aug.1: Minister for Information and Communication Dr. Bikram Timilsina has stated that the government is preparing policy and legal reforms to control fraud, character assassination, defamation, and the dissemination of false and misleading information via social media.

Responding to questions raised by lawmakers in the House of Representatives today, Minister Timilsina noted that the government would take necessary steps to curb the rising incidents of fraud and harassment on social media. He mentioned that preparations are underway to draft legislation, including the Mass Communication Bill and the Press Council Bill, 

to address the trend of disseminating false and misleading information through social media and mass media outlets. He informed the House that these bills would be presented soon.

“Legal provisions have been incorporated into the bills to address the tendency of mass media to disseminate false and misleading information. The Ministry is also preparing a separate legal framework to further systematize and regulate social media,” Minister Timilsina said.