Nepal’s House of Representatives has passed the Public Service Broadcasting Bill for a planned merger of the two national broadcasters, Radio Nepal and Nepal Television, which will then be run as the National Public Service Broadcasting Agency.

The legislation, which has been two decades in the making, was initially designed to establish a public service broadcaster more “robust, efficient and strong” than what already existed. Stakeholders looked at other public media models such as the BBC or NHK to bring Radio Nepal and Nepal Television under one publicly-funded umbrella.

However, the final bill does not provide for atonomy. A council shall be formed under the leadership of the Minister for Communications and Information Technology to offer policy guidelines and formulate the policies for the National Public Service Broadcasting Agency.

The institution will have a three-member board including the chairperson appointed from the government, a first-class officer assigned by the ministry and at least a woman appointed from the ministry.

One month after the bill is authenticated, a public call for applications will be made for the position of Executive Chairperson. The selection will be based on the submitted action plan and an interview process. The appointed Executive Chairperson will serve a four-year term. According to the bill, the existing positions at Radio Nepal and Nepal Television will be merged.

The National Public Service Broadcasting Agency will have a separate fund to deposit the grants it receives as well as its income.

“Passage of the PSB bill from Nepal’s parliament is a milestone on media development and lawmaking in this sector,” said Taranath Dahal, the Chief Executive of Freedom Forum, which has been advocating for the bill since 2007. “Still, there are some provisions to be standardised. But the progress made by the parliament carries much significance.”