Date: 2082.01.07

The Federation of Nepali Journalists has drawn the attention of the local administration of Parsa to the act of banning the broadcasting of news material.

The Parsa branch has stated that the local administration has put pressure on 'A News', which is run by the central secretary of the Federation, Ashok Tiwari, to reconsider the material that was being prepared for broadcast on 2082 Baisakh 6 at 6 pm, in an unauthorized manner. The Federation warns that the subject of the news falls within the jurisdiction of the Press Council of Nepal.

Putting pressure on the media to stop the broadcasting of news on any pretext is highly condemnable and is an act against the freedom of the press and the constitution. The Federation believes that this has also thwarted the rights of the press guaranteed by the constitution.

The Federation draws the attention of the concerned parties to refrain from such activities against democracy and press freedom and to respect press freedom.

Similarly, the Federation condemns the abuses on social media regarding the news written by Suresh Bidari, a member of the Federation's Parsa branch. The Federation believes that such intimidation of journalists, who are dissatisfied with the news, will harm the social reputation and goodwill of the individual, and demands the concerned bodies to take necessary action against those involved in such acts.

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Ram Prasad Dahal

Secretary General