KATHMANDU, Aug. 13: Police on Thursday intervened in a peaceful sit-in staged by journalists outside the District Police Range in Bhadra Kali, Kathmandu, protesting the raid of a media house in Kathmandu. The raid of the newsroom of Janaastha Weekly on Thursday morning followed the arrest of its Editor-in-Chief Kishor Shrestha a day earlier.
Agitating journalists have called for the latest government's moves as an attack against the constitutionally guaranteed press freedom. Journalists led by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) had gathered outside the police office to protest the raid and arrest of journalist Shrestha.
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Police attempted to disperse the protesters and manhandled several journalists during the demonstration. The police intervention has drawn criticisms from the media fraternity, with participants saying the action against journalists engaged in a peaceful protest raised serious concerns about press freedom and citizens’ fundamental rights.
FNJ President Nirmala Sharma said police intervention in matters related to journalists’ news gathering and publication was unacceptable, noting that the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press and expression.
Journalist organizations said threats, pressure, harassment and arrests of journalists could undermine the environment for independent journalism. They called on the authorities to respect journalists’ constitutional rights and refrain from actions that could intimidate the media.
Police raided the office of Jana Aastha Weekly on Thursday morning and reportedly seized computers and other materials. An employee at the publication confirmed that a police team had entered the office and taken away the equipment.
Shrestha was arrested on Wednesday night in connection with a news report published by Jana Aastha Weekly. The media fraternity has called on the government and security agencies to refrain from interfering with peaceful protests, respect press freedom and ensure Shrestha’s immediate release.
