Journalists raise alarm over police intervention and proposed media laws

The detention of three journalists after plainclothes police officers entered newsrooms in Kathmandu last Friday has fuelled concerns over press freedom, with journalists warning of growing state pressure on the media. Police first entered the offices of Nepal Press and took journalist Bishwamani Subedi into custody. They subsequently detained Shobharaj Baral, editor of Motive News, and Dhiraj Basnet, editor of DNA Khabar.

All three were released after a brief period. But the incidents, involving police entering media offices and taking journalists into custody, have raised serious questions about the protection of press freedom. The Federation of Nepali Journalists has also repeatedly questioned the government over reports of police visits to media organisations, obstruction of newsroom operations and increasing pressure on journalists.

Against this backdrop, the federation on Thursday held an interaction with media stakeholders on the government's proposed Media Council Bill, mass communications legislation and the protection of press freedom.