Kathmandu. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has warned that Meta, the parent company of platforms including Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, will be shut down if it is not listed within seven days.
At a department-level interaction on the Right to Information organized by the National Information Commission here today, Minister Gurung warned that Meta had ignored requests to be listed three times and warned that it would be shut down if it is not listed within a week. He said that it was Meta’s insulting tendency to say that it does not follow the laws of the country in which it does business.
‘Do you have to do business in Nepal and follow the registration process as per the rules of that country?’ He said, ‘It is good if it is registered within a week, otherwise we will close it down.’ He also informed that a request is being made to designate a contact center after discussing with the officials of Meta from the Ministry’s Secretary level.
Earlier, social media platforms including TikTok and Viber have been listed in the Ministry. In addition, Minister Gurung requested that other social media platforms be listed in the Ministry. He said that listing is mandatory to organize social media and make it responsible and accountable to the society.
In the program, Minister Gurung clarified the necessity and importance of the social media bill that is being passed in the Parliament. He said that a social media bill is necessary to regulate activities that disrupt the country’s social harmony, promote criminal activities, interfere in personal lives, and attack national integrity and independence in the name of freedom.
Also, stating that the right to information is a fundamental right of citizens and an important basis for maintaining good governance, Minister Gurung said that the National Information Commission should play an effective role in protecting it. Minister Gurung had suggested that the information seeker should establish a practice of providing information only after revealing their identity and purpose.
He drew the attention of the employees to be aware and disseminate accurate information as there are those who misuse information. ‘Give information that keeps citizens and communities informed, and also beware of middlemen,’ said Minister Gurung.
During the program, National Information Commission Chief Commissioner Dr. Suresh Prasad Acharya said that since the right to information is a pillar of democracy, transparency and good governance, both giving and receiving information are equally important. He urged employees and department heads to be free from the feeling that giving information on matters of public concern will result in punishment.
NICE Commissioner Gagan Bista said that the exemption of public bodies that they are not capable of providing information is against the law. Commission Commissioner Durga Bhandari Poudel said that when requesting information, the concerned officer should create a simple and easy environment without being harsh like giving private property.
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