Media Action Nepal slams Foreign Minister Rana’s threat to NRM Director Gyanwali
KATHMANDU | June 13 : Media Action Nepal condemns the escalating and coordinated attacks on press freedom in Nepal, most notably the threat issued by Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba to Shova Gyawali, Director of Nepal Republic Media (NRM) Limited, in connection to coverage involving senior journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak.
Speaking to Media Action Nepal, Director Gyawali revealed that Foreign Minister Rana threatened her during a phone call made via the WhatsApp number of her personal secretary, Kamal Rawal, around 1:50 PM on June 12. The threat came in response to a news report published in Republica and Nagarik.
Speaking to Media Action Nepal, Director Gyawali revealed that Foreign Minister Rana threatened her during a phone call made via the WhatsApp number of her personal secretary, Kamal Rawal, around 1:50 PM on June 12. The threat came in response to a news report published in Republica and Nagarik.
“In the four-minute call, Minister Rana repeatedly issued threats, vowing to bring down Nepal Republic Media and its management, simply for doing what any national daily is expected to do,” Gyawali stated. “She even threatened to use her influence to disrupt the partnership between Republica and The New York Times by sending an email to the latter,” she added. Republica, the English daily published by NRM, is the local partner of The New York Times.
“Earlier, I had faced similar pressure over the publication of a report about her UK visit. But this time, it became unbearable as she continued ranting and verbally abusing me,” Gyanwali said. “As a result, we convened an emergency meeting with the editorial and management board to address the incident, she added.
Considering Rana’s threat as a serious abuse of ministerial authority, Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and the Executive Director of Media Action Nepal said, “This blatant misuse of power to suppress independent media represents a direct assault on the work of journalists.” It is deeply troubling that instead of upholding democratic values, the Foreign Minister has chosen to intimidate the media house, threatening consequences for publishing report in the public interest, Pant added.
It is deeply troubling that instead of upholding democratic values, the Foreign Minister has chosen to intimidate the media house, threatening consequences for publishing report in the public interest.
In a similarly disturbing incident on June 12, journalist Narayan Aryal faced an entire day of police intimidation, including aggressive pursuit by security forces. Aryal works alongside journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak, against whom the Kathmandu District Court has issued an arrest warrant over a news report implicating Jaiveer Singh Deuba, son of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and FM Rana herself, in a hotel share transaction.
Media Action Nepal stands in solidarity with Nepal Republic Media and all journalists facing intimidation, and call on the Government of Nepal to immediately hold accountable those misusing state power to muzzle independent media; repeal regressive provisions such as those in the Electronic Transactions Act that are routinely abused to criminalize journalism; and ensure safe and enabling environment for media to operate freely.
Media Action Nepal stands in solidarity with Nepal Republic Media and all journalists facing intimidation, and call on the Government of Nepal to immediately hold accountable those misusing state power to muzzle independent media; repeal regressive provisions such as those in the Electronic Transactions Act that are routinely abused to criminalize journalism; and ensure safe and enabling environment for media to operate freely.