December 21: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has prepared a draft bill aimed at regulating and managing social sites. The government is set to present this groundbreaking bill in the federal parliament, responding to the calls from the general public and stakeholders for effective measures in overseeing social media platforms.

 Netra Prasad Subedi, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry, emphasized the draft's responsiveness to the concerns raised by citizens and stakeholders, underscoring the need for public participation.

During an orientation organized by the Advertisement Board, Subedi revealed that the draft would soon be made public to invite suggestions, marking a pivotal moment as the country aims to formulate such legislation for the first time.

 The bill draft committee coordinator highlighted that the proposed law would not only focus on the regulation of social sites but also address the crucial issues of advertisement regulation. The primary goal is to curb the misuse of social platforms, combat misinformation, and mitigate the potential harms associated with them.

The government of Nepal had previously issued guidelines related to social media, and Laxman Humagain, the Board Chairperson, expressed the importance of seeking input from advertisers, agencies, and stakeholders in refining the proposed bill.  Humagain noted that suggestions would be actively sought to ensure a well-rounded perspective during the legislative process.

Additionally, the Advertisement Board, in collaboration with stakeholders, has formulated criteria for the regulation of advertisements on digital platforms and social sites.

Emphasizing the necessity of such regulation and management, Som Dhital, Chairperson of the Advertising Association of Nepal, highlighted the importance of preserving a 15% service charge for advertisement agencies. (RSS)