Media Action Nepal condemns restrictions on journalists in parliament
MEDIA ACTION NEPAL / March 5: Media Action Nepal has condemned the Federal Parliament Secretariat’s decision to suspend the press passes of two journalists simply for asking a question. Any action targeted to restrict journalists from reporting directly contradicts the principles of a free press and democratic accountability, stated Media Action Nepal.
The Federal Parliament Secretariat today [March 5, 2025] issued a one-month suspension of press access for Prakash Oli, reporter at the ‘Sunaulo Nepal’ news-portal and Kishore Kumar Shrestha of the ‘Yuba Man Nepal’ channel after they posed questions to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on February 16. The Secretariat’s General Secretary enforced the decision, as confirmed by Federal Parliament spokesperson Ek Ram Giri.
Prakash Oli, speaking to Media Action Nepal, shared that his question to PM Oli concerned the controversial Social Media Bill, asking whether the government was ‘imitating Hitler’ by introducing such legislation. “I had no idea this would escalate into such a major issue,” he said. “I have not received an official notice about my pass cancellation but learned about it through various news reports.” Despite the ban, he maintained that he was not fearful.
Stating that restricting press access undermines the public’s right to information and sets a dangerous precedent, Laxman Datt Pant, Executive Director of Media Action Nepal reminded that in democratic societies, criticism of government actions should be encouraged, not penalized.
Journalists are bound by ethical standards under the journalist’s code of conduct, but terminating their right to report freely is an outright attack on fundamental freedoms, Pant added. He emphasized that Press Council Nepal is the appropriate body to address media ethics-related matters, and any authoritative interventions undermine the constitutionally guaranteed rights of a free press.
Media Action Nepal urges the government to uphold democratic values by ensuring that journalists can perform their duty without fear of retribution and calls for an immediate reversal of this decision.
