Press Council Nepal Urges Media to Avoid Content Jeopardizing Fair Elections

Kathmandu. The Press Council Nepal has urged against disseminating content that could adversely affect a clean and impartial election or influence votes.

Council's Deputy Spokesperson Ramsharan Bohara issued a press release on Monday, emphasizing the significant role of journalism in elections and appealing for the fulfillment of that role with greater integrity.

The press release stated, "As various state bodies, including the media sector, have a special role in making the election successful, the Council also urges the dissemination of content in a healthy, clean, independent, dignified, impartial, and balanced manner within the purview of the code of conduct, and to respect the conscience, freedom, and secret voting rights of the general voters."

Furthermore, the Council requested all concerned parties, including mass media, all journalists, media personnel, social media users, etc., not to transmit or cause the transmission of content that could adversely affect a clean and impartial election or influence votes.

The Council stated that it is regularly monitoring mass media and, similar to the past, is conducting special monitoring regarding adherence to the Code of Conduct for Journalists and the Election Code of Conduct during the House of Representatives Election, 2082.

The press release further stated, "Content transmitted in the name of press freedom can cause benefit or harm to someone. Media outlets and journalists involved in an important profession like journalism, which must maintain a neutral and impartial role, must be more dignified, responsible, and accountable in this significant historical context. We are monitoring this activity."