KATHMANDU, Oct 31: Statements issued by the Prime Minister's Secretariat and Nepal Police have contradicted each other over Friday's arrests of journalists. While the PM's Secretariat has denied any involvement or prior knowledge, police said journalists were called in following concerns raised by the Prime Minister's Office.
Nepal Police issued a press statement around midnight on Friday, saying false news reports and messages targeting the police had been repeatedly circulated on social media and in the media.
According to the police, such messages could create negative public perceptions about the force's professionalism, public trust, relations between the government and the police organisation, and its investigations.
Mr Speaker, Either Prove or Apologize!
The police said its Cyber Bureau had called some journalists to its office in response to concerns raised by the Prime Minister's Office.
"The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau's decision to call some journalists to its office to seek general information about the truthfulness, factual basis and legal grounds of such reports was a legitimate action carried out in good faith as part of its duties," the police statement said.
The police described the move as an action intended to contribute to building a safe society.
The statement also said Nepal Police viewed the press, which it described as the fourth pillar of the state, positively and remained committed to press freedom and the safety of journalists.
However, the Prime Minister's Secretariat maintained that the Prime Minister's Office was neither involved in nor had prior knowledge of the incident.
