Arrest of journalists raises alarm for free press in Nepal
KANCHANPUR FOLLOW UP
KATHMANDU/February 14: Prior to arresting Aishwarya and Puskar, the Kanchanpur District Police issued a press statement on February 5 stating that various news stories published in the media and on social media had piqued their interest.
The statement concludes with the police warning that no social media posts or news materials be published without citing credible sources. If any social media posts or news reports about police officers are published without verification from the source, they will face legal consequences. Following the statement, Mahendranagarpost.com published a news story in which Kanchanpur police threatened to take action against anyone writing about controversial inspector Binu Shahi.
Subsequently, on February 10, the Kanchanpur District Police arrested two journalists who had been conducting follow-ups and writing social media posts in response to police atrocities. Police initially arrested Puskar and then took Aishwariya into custody under Article 47 of the Electronic Transaction Act of 2008.
Meanwhile, Media Action Nepal condemned the police’s atrocities, stating that police are not in a position to instruct journalists on their journalistic duties. “Police should seek the assistance of regulatory bodies rather than making their own decisions and questioning journalists about their sources for reporting on their irregularities,” said Laxman Datt Pant, Chair of Media Action Nepal.
Meanwhile, Media Action Nepal condemned the police’s atrocities, stating that police are not in a position to instruct journalists on their journalistic duties. “Police should seek the assistance of regulatory bodies rather than making their own decisions and questioning journalists about their sources for reporting on their irregularities,” said Laxman Datt Pant, Chair of Media Action Nepal.
“This is a direct attack on press freedom and independent media, and Nepal, as a democratic country, should discourage such actions by government institutions,” he added.