Facilitation and regulations through required policies, laws and regulations to foster a healthy and productive ICT marketplace are major priorities and concerns of the modern state. In order to regulate and facilitate the issues and concerns of the new Media and ICT landscape the Government of Nepal has been working on new legal reform on various ICT and Media related laws. This includes, Telecommunications Bill, Information Technology Bill, Mass Communication Bill, Media Council Bill and others.
There are significant concerns of the stakeholders on various issues. Those concerns and issues of the public and stakeholders can be heard and respected through rigorous consultations and discussions on proposed or drafted laws. However, there are very few stakeholder engagements on the pros and cons of the newly proposed provisions. Many inconsistencies are there in the law and policies that hinder freedom of expression, free market and business as well as use of the ICT in Nepal. We believe that consultations, discussion and stakeholder engagement in the law reform process will be instrumental to build on clarity, consistency and ownership.
Recently, Nepal has witnessed significant development of services and infrastructure in the ICT sector. However, quality of service remains a big question. Bringing every stakeholder together in one issue and seeking common ground to foster understanding for the development of ICT sector Nepal celebrates May 2 as National ICT Day. Similarly, 3rd May is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day and Nepal is also doing various events on this day. Likewise, to celebrate the success and discuss the priorities of ICT and Media sector and legal reform, Digital Freedom Coalition and Nepal Bar Association are holding a symposium on ICT and Media Laws in Nepal on the occasion of National ICT Day, 2023 and World Press Freedom Day, 2023.
