Continue with Google
KATHMANDU, June 19: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Nepal government to immediately withdraw all legal cases filed against journalists and media outlets.
In a statement, the IFJ urged authorities to drop cases against news portals Bizmandu, Nepal Khabar, and senior journalist Dilbhusan Pathak. The Kathmandu District Court had issued an order on June 10 directing Bizmandu and Nepal Khabar to remove news content related to alleged irregularities at the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON). On the same day, a warrant was issued against Pathak in a defamation case.
IFJ denounces arrest of journalists demanding reinstatement of...
The case was filed by SEBON Chairperson Santosh Narayan Shrestha, who sought legal action against the outlets for publishing a series of investigative reports on alleged misconduct within the board.
The IFJ appealed to the government to uphold press freedom and protect the rights of independent and critical journalism. The organization stated that targeting media and journalists for reporting on matters of public interest goes against democratic values and the constitutional guarantee of press freedom in Nepal.
