(CEHURDES/IFEX) – A top government official has threatened action against two leading Kathmandu-based, privately-owned newspapers. Addressing a press conference in the capital, Kathmandu, on 25 August 2005, Information and Communications Minister Tanka Dhakal – who is also the government’s spokesman – said the government was engaged in “serious homework” to take legal action against the […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – A top government official has threatened action against two leading Kathmandu-based, privately-owned newspapers.
Addressing a press conference in the capital, Kathmandu, on 25 August 2005, Information and Communications Minister Tanka Dhakal – who is also the government’s spokesman – said the government was engaged in “serious homework” to take legal action against the newspapers that tried to “defame” the country’s monarchy by publishing a cartoon earlier in the week. The minister did not elaborate.
On 21 August, “Kantipur” and “The Kathmandu Post” newspapers carried a cartoon by noted cartoonist Batsyayan that depicted Nepali Congress president and former premier G. P. Koirala carrying a dead animal billed as ‘constitutional monarchy.’ A dust bin was featured in the background.
Two days later, both dailies published front page editor’s notes clarifying their position. The editors confirmed that they adhered to the principles of multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy and that the cartoon published in the Sunday edition of their papers was not intended to violate these principles.
Despite clarification, Kathmandu Chief District Officer Sushil Ghimire summoned “Kantipur” editor Narayan Wagle and “Kathmandu Post” editor Prateek Pradhan, along with the dailies’ publisher, Binod Gyawali, for questioning. The three refused to record their statements, saying they should be given any order by the authorities in writing first.
CEHURDES views this latest action as yet another attempt by the royal government of Nepal to intimidate and harass independent media. As leading private sector newspapers, “Kantipur” and “The Kathmandu Post” have been disseminating news and opinions to the general public without fear or favour, and should not be punished for it.
CEHURDES believes punitive action against “Kantipur” and “The Kathmandu Post” would be unacceptable and would be seen as a government attempt to silence critical voices among the country’s media. The organisation calls on the government to withdraw its proposed action against the two papers and allow Nepali media to function freely and without fear, according to its rights under the Nepali Constitution and international treaties to which Nepal is party.
