Kathmandu, Nepal – The Government of Nepal has decided to withdraw the controversial Social Media Operation, Use, and Regulation Bill 2081 from the federal parliament. The decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Tuesday, as announced by the Minister for Home Affairs, Om Prakash Aryal.
Minister Aryal informed that the Cabinet has granted approval to retract the bill, which was initially proposed to regulate the operation and usage of social media platforms in Nepal.
In his statement, Aryal said, “The decision has been made to withdraw the Social Media Operation, Use, and Regulation Bill 2081 from the federal parliament.” The bill had sparked significant debate and controversy over concerns related to freedom of expression, censorship, and the scope of government control over social media platforms.
Additionally, the Cabinet made another significant decision regarding the under-construction Parliament complex. The government has approved an amendment to the master plan for the Singhadurbar area, with a provision to erect statues of martyrs from the Gen Z Movement in the Parliament compound. This decision aims to honor the sacrifices of those who contributed to the movement, symbolizing their role in Nepal’s ongoing political and social evolution.
Minister Aryal elaborated on the decision, stating, “We have also approved the amendment to the master plan of the Singhadurbar area to facilitate the construction of statues of the martyrs of the Gen Z movement in the ongoing Parliament complex project.”
These decisions come amidst growing concerns and discussions about the balance between national security, digital freedom, and the government’s role in regulating the digital space. The Social Media Bill, which aimed to impose strict regulations on online platforms, had faced criticism from various quarters, including media outlets, digital rights organizations, and political parties, fearing it might infringe on civil liberties.
While the government has chosen to retract the bill, it remains to be seen whether future legislation will be proposed to address concerns related to social media regulation, or whether the current regulatory framework will remain intact.
