Press Unions Submit Memorandum to Prime Minister Shah Demanding Protection of Press Freedom

Kathmandu. The Nepal Journalists Federation's Kathmandu Valley Province Committee and its subordinate Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur branches have sent a seven-point memorandum to Prime Minister Balen Shah on Monday, demanding the protection of press and expression freedom, restructuring of the communication sector, and ensuring the professional rights of journalists. The memorandum was sent to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singh Durbar through the District Post Office, Lalitpur.

The memorandum states that the effective implementation of full press freedom, freedom of expression, and the independent existence of mass media guaranteed by the constitution is the state's responsibility. It is mentioned that even after a decade since the promulgation of the constitution, the necessary laws, regulations, policies, and institutional structures related to the communication sector have not been built and amended in time according to the federal governance system. The Federation believes that the communication sector is affected by structural and professional problems due to the inability to address the changes brought about by the rapid development of science and technology in a timely manner.

Lalitpur branch chairman Ram Hari Karki said that although there was an expectation of positive initiatives in ensuring press freedom and labor rights with the formation of the current government, recent behaviors have raised questions. He informed that 'questions have arisen regarding press freedom and civil rights due to recent government policies, decisions, and behaviors.'

The memorandum mentions that the shrinking environment for fearless journalism and the lack of legal action in the incident of parking vehicles at the entrance of media houses to exert pressure have weakened the trust in the rule of law. Welcoming the Supreme Court's order to lift the ban on the distribution of government advertisements to private media, the Federation has demanded the government to fully implement that order.

Similarly, the Federation has urged for the review of policies adversely affecting press freedom, effective implementation of the Labor Journalists Act, and ensuring social security and insurance for journalists. The memorandum also emphasizes the implementation of a proportional advertising policy, security of media houses and journalists, and the formulation of a modern communication policy in consultation with stakeholders to address new challenges such as digital communication and artificial intelligence (AI).

The Federation has clarified in the memorandum that it is in favor of cooperation and dialogue for the protection of the constitution, democracy, and press freedom, not confrontation with the government. During the process of sending the memorandum through the post office, the presence of Federation Central Member Surya Subedi, Valley Province Committee Acting Chairperson Rozina Thapa (Karki), Kathmandu Branch Chairperson Shobha Aryal, Lalitpur Branch Chairman Ram Hari Karki, and Joint Secretary Saugaat Mishra was noted.