KATHMANDU, June 13: Senior Vice-Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has condemned the arrest warrant issued against journalist Pathak. The warrant was issued in connection with a news report broadcast on YouTube about Jaiveer Deuba, son of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, allegedly purchasing the Hilton Hotel.
Expressing his objection via Facebook, Shrestha wrote, “Issuing an arrest warrant against a respected journalist like Dil Bhusan Pathak merely for broadcasting a news report is unacceptable. It is a repressive, intolerant, and condemnable act that violates press freedom and democratic values. I strongly denounce this action and demand that the warrant be immediately revoked.”
Maoist Center Vice-Chair Shrestha demands equal treatment for a...
While acknowledging the need to correct inaccurate journalism, leader Shrestha has stated that issuing an arrest warrant is not the appropriate solution.
“Sometimes the media does publish baseless, false, and irresponsible news. It is important to correct such journalism and hold journalists accountable,” Shrestha wrote on Facebook, “However, even if a news report is incorrect and needs to be challenged, the proper course is to issue a rebuttal, approach the court, or files a complaint with the Nepal Press Council—not to issue an arrest warrant. Such actions cannot be justified under any circumstances. They must stop.”
