The Human Rights and Peace Society staged a demonstration in Butwal demanding the Lumbini state government to return the media council bill registered in the parliament and rewrite it, as it is against the preamble of the constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The demonstration was staged in front of the office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers on July 8 with placards saying that the bill is against press freedom and human rights.

Ram Raj Pokhrel, president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Rupendehi, said that the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) would agitate if the bill is not returned as points 69 to 84 of the bill were objectionable. The bill also includes issues such as jail sentences for journalists and banning the publication of magazines. Similarly, the chairperson, ministers and members of the Communications Council will be employees of most of the ministries. The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Lumbini state and district branches have been protesting against the bill and demanding its rewriting.