Media Action Nepal condemns ECN interference in media coverage
KATHMANDU | February 26 : Media Action Nepal condemns the decision of the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) to write to the Press Council Nepal (PCN) requesting the removal of a documentary report published today (February 26) by BBC World Service and BBC Nepali Service concerning Nepal’s Gen Z protests of September 8 and 9, 2025.
While disagreement with media coverage is a legitimate democratic discourse, attempting to remove journalistic content through regulatory pressure constitutes a clear violation of press freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal and by the international human rights treaties to which Nepal is a State Party, said Laxman Datt Pant, Founding Chair of Media Action Nepal. Any attempt by a state body to have a news report taken down constitutes interference with press freedom and the public’s right to information, Pant added.
Any attempt by a state body to have a news report taken down constitutes interference with press freedom and the public’s right to information, Pant added.
Constitutional bodies must uphold, not weaken the press freedom. Any disputes on the accuracy of the media coverage should be dealt through established legal channels, not to call for the removal of content. Media Action Nepal condemns the ECN attempt as an interference and calls on the Commission to respect press freedom and editorial independence.