Nepal: Social Media Law threatens free expression / IFJ

Nepal’s proposed Social Media Act Bill introduces stringent regulations requiring platform registration and empowering authorities to remove content deemed indecent or misleading. This legislative shift aims to combat digital crimes but raises significant concerns due to its vague definitions of offenses and severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment. The broad scope of criminalizing remarks and interactions with "malicious intent" creates a high risk of state overreach, potentially chilling legitimate online discourse and enabling the suppression of dissent under the guise of maintaining social harmony. Concurrently, the passage of the Media Council Bill has intensified fears regarding the erosion of press independence. By replacing the existing council with a body led by a government-appointed chairperson, the new structure undermines the autonomy of journalism. Professional bodies argue that these moves, executed without adequate consultation with civil society, directly threaten constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. The lack of inclusive dialogue suggests a top-down approach to media governance that disregards established human rights standards and global best practices for independent oversight. This development is critically relevant to the open data and digital rights community because it illustrates the dangers of opaque legislative frameworks that lack transparency and stakeholder engagement. The bill’s potential to weaponize vague laws against journalists and citizens highlights the urgent need for open, participatory policy-making processes. It serves as a cautionary example for advocates who must push for clear, rights-respecting regulations that protect digital freedoms rather than expanding state control over information spaces.

Source: ifj.org
Published on 2025-02-25

Nepal: Social Media Law threatens free expression / IFJ

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