Nepal’s media freedom stifled by government censorship and harassment
KATHMANDU/June 11: In its 2023 report on human rights practices in Nepal, the U.S. Department of State highlighted significant challenges to freedom of expression in the country. Despite constitutional guarantees, the report details how government actions have undermined media freedom through threats, harassment, and censorship.
Although the report has touched upon the overall state of human rights issues in Nepal, Section 2 of the report places particularly emphasis on the regressive role of the government in encouraging self-censorship by threatening journalists and media who expressed dissenting voices against the government’s ruthless activities. According to the report, which cites human rights lawyers and some journalists, both the constitution and the law allowed the government to restrict free speech and the press in ways that were ambiguous and open to abuse.
“For example, the constitution listed several circumstances under which laws curtailing freedom of speech and press might be formulated. These included acts that “jeopardize harmonious relations between federal units” and acts that assist a foreign state or organization to jeopardize national security,” reads the report. “The constitution prohibits any acts “contrary to public health, decency, and morality” or that “disturb the public law and order situation.”
“In March, observers witnessed police covering the mouths of youth protesting Prime Minister Dahal and financial problems in the country. Video of police personnel doing this was widely shared on social media, attracting criticism from multiple sections of society and reaching the National Assembly,” states report.
The report has also claimed several cases of violence and harassment against journalists and media. On March 18, Lower House Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire made regressive remarks that journalists and media were for ‘sale’ which led to public outcry and abuses to the media fraternity. Similarly, the report details an incident of abusive conduct against ABC Television Pokhara reporter Geeta Rana while she was filming an officer from the central Bhirkot Municipality for a documentary.
“The municipality’s chief administrative officer and police proceeded to confront Rana, allegedly verbally abusing the journalist and deleting all photographs and video from her devices. Rana left after an hour of confinement in the municipality office,” reads the report.
The report also mentions censorship or content restrictions for journalists and other media outlets, including online media. The report, quoting journalists and NGOs, claimed that constitutional provisions and laws that criminalized normal media activity, such as reporting on public figures, as well as political influence, sometimes resulted in self-censorship by the media.
“Libel/Slander Laws: The penal code defines defamation as a criminal offense,” says report. Furthermore, the report stated that the government censored online content and prohibited electronic publication of material that could be “contrary to public morality or decent behavior,” “spread hate or jealousy,” or “jeopardize harmonious relations.”
“The online media operation directive required all domestically based online news and opinion websites to be registered. The directive gave the government the authority to block websites based on content if it lacked an “authoritative source,” created “a misconception,” or negatively affected international relationships,” states the report. Additionally, on November 13, the government banned TikTok, citing objectionable content as the reason for the ban, curbing internet freedom and freedom of expression, according to the report.
Featured pic credit : U. S. Embassy in Nepal Facebook Page
