KATHMANDU, JUNE 19
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have condemned recent legal against Nepali journalists and online media outlets, calling them an attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence critical journalism in Nepal.
Following the interim order by Kathmandu District Court directing online news portals Nepal Khabar and Bizmandu to remove articles allegedly defaming Securities Board of Nepal Chairperson Santosh Narayan Shrestha, it issued an arrest warrant against senior journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak under Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, based on a complaint by the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police over a video posted on his YouTube channel Tough Talk with Dil Bhusan Pathak.
Both Nepal Khabar and Bizmandu have rejected the allegations, calling the court's order a direct threat to press freedom. The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and Nepal Press Union (NPU) also condemned the court's move, saying it contradicts Nepal's constitutional guarantees and international norms of press freedom.
In a statement, the IFJ said, "The court's move to target media outlets and journalists for reporting on corruption cases in the public interest starkly contradicts democratic principles and the constitutionally enshrined right to press freedom in Nepal. "The federation called on authorities to drop all charges against the media outlets and Pathak, and to safeguard the right to independent and critical reporting.
The NPU criticized the use of the Electronic Transactions Act against a journalist instead of media-specific laws, stating that such actions instill fear in the media community. It demanded the immediate withdrawal of the arrest warrant against Pathak.
Similarly, the FNJ warned that the order undermines constitutional press protections and vowed to take legal and other actions if the decision is not reversed.
Echoing these concerns, HRW said the arrest warrant against Pathak represents "the latest attempt to silence online speech and attack press freedom in Nepal." It noted that while traditional media has faced interference in the past, current threats are more focused on digital and social media platforms.
"The government should stop trying to silence journalists and other Nepalis," HRW said, urging the Nepal Police to revoke the arrest warrant and respect freedom of expression.
