Minister Baskota defends advertisement bill

Kathmandu, July 2: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gokul Prasad Baskota has said a bill having integrated provisions on advertisements has been brought to regulate the growing advertisement market and consumer interests.

Responding to queries raised by the lawmakers during discussions on the principle of the bill in the meeting of the Development and Technology Committee under the House of Representatives today, Minister Baskota said the bill has been designed so that only authentic advertisements are promoted.

The Minister stressed on the use of Nepali artists, nature and mass communication media while disseminating advertisements of multi-national companies in the interdependent world. He further said provisions have been made in the bill for carrying cost-free advertisements related to issues of public interest and warning on natural disasters.

Stating that such arrangements are made even in countries like Japan, Great Britain, America, among others, the Minister said the formation of an Advertisement Board has been proposed in the bill as a body to systematize the advertisements.

He also informed the meeting that the bill makes provision for setting up a mechanism to regulate the issue of only the service provider taking charge up to Rs 800 by providing 300 channels.

Meanwhile, Minister Baskota also shared that the government has not made any decision to provide money to the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Award ceremony said to be taking place in Nepal.