Nepal Government Introduces Controversial Social Media Bill Amid Criticism

Social media bill by Nepal Government

Despite widespread criticism and calls for its withdrawal, the Nepalese government has introduced the Social Media Bill in the National Assembly. The bill, presented by Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, aims to regulate social media platforms and users by enforcing strict accountability measures.

Opposition Fails to Register Rejection Proposal

Although the bill has faced strong opposition from various political parties, journalists, and free speech advocates, opposition lawmakers did not formally challenge it in the upper house. In parliamentary practice, rejection proposals are typically submitted when parties strongly oppose a bill, but in this case, no such move was made.

When questioned about this, Gopi Acchami Sarki, the chief whip of the CPN (Maoist Centre) in the National Assembly, admitted that his party was not adequately prepared to register a rejection. However, he assured that amendments would be proposed later.

Concerns Over Free Speech and Press Freedom

Critics argue that several provisions of the bill pose a serious threat to free speech and press freedom. Among the most controversial aspects is the requirement for social media companies, firms, or organizations to seek government approval before operating in Nepal. The bill defines social media platforms broadly, including apps, websites, and blogs that facilitate electronic interactions.

If passed, the legislation will impose strict penalties, including fines of up to Rs10 million for non-compliant social media platforms. Individual users spreading “misleading” information could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to Rs1.5 million.

Key Provisions and Penalties

The bill lists several offenses that could result in heavy fines or imprisonment:

• Fake Accounts & False Information: Creating fake pages or groups and spreading misleading content that affects Nepal’s sovereignty or national interests could lead to five years in prison and a fine of Rs1.5 million.
• Threat to National Integrity: Any post or content that disrupts Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, or security could result in imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of Rs500,000.
• Harassment & Online Abuse: Using social media to harass, threaten, insult, dehumanize, or spread rumors could lead to two years in prison or a fine of up to Rs300,000.
• Deepfake Content: Creating or sharing AI-generated deepfake videos could result in two years of imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs300,000.
• Hacking: Those found guilty of hacking social media accounts could face up to three years in prison and a fine of Rs1.5 million.
• Sharing False Information: Posting, commenting, or sharing misleading information from fake accounts could result in three months of imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs50,000.

Legislative Process and Next Steps

The bill has been tabled for preliminary discussions in the National Assembly. If approved, lawmakers will have the opportunity to propose amendments before it is passed to the House of Representatives for further deliberation. Following approval, the bill will be sent back to the National Assembly for a final review before being forwarded to the President’s Office for authentication.

Public and Political Backlash

The bill has sparked concerns among journalists, social media users, and digital rights activists, who see it as a tool to suppress freedom of expression. Critics argue that vague definitions and severe penalties could be misused to target dissenting voices. Even lawmakers from the ruling party have expressed reservations about some provisions.

As discussions continue, the fate of the Social Media Bill remains uncertain. Whether the government will address the concerns raised and introduce necessary amendments remains to be seen.

For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Global Trend Infos.