Media regulatory body, Press Council Nepal has taken action against 31 media broadcasting on YouTube platform since July 1.
The council released a statement on July 15 stating- three YouTube channels Hello Tv Nepal, PnP Media Pvt. Ltd and Nagarik Patra TV were asked to remove controversial contents from the media and furnish clarification at the council.
Three media had published contents critical to political leaders, it argues. According to the council, these contents inflicted violence, terror and were published with sensational views.
Similarly, the council also wrote to Nepal Police Cyber Bureau to investigate and take action against other 28 YouTube channels and their social media pages. The council further states that the social media pages which are not affiliated to any media were ordered to immediately remove contents that allegedly violate individual privacy and are misleading and obscene.
“Press Council Nepal is an authorized body to monitor registered media and seek clarification but its action against social media pages and YouTube channels is against its authority and jurisdiction. PCN’s intervention on monitoring and regulation of these platforms is the sheer misuse of its authority. Such action of the council certainly curtails freedom of expression”, argues Taranath Dahal, Executive Chief at Freedom Forum.
FF further urges the council to rather make concerned media aware of their code of conduct and make legitimate investigations as per its rights.
