KATHMANDU: Press Council Nepal has issued a 24-hour clarification notice to Mero News and several other online platforms for broadcasting CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s remarks on the recent Simara incident.
The Council said Oli’s expression, disseminated via social media, contained provocative elements, and instructed the outlets to explain within 24 hours why such content was aired.
According to the directive issued by Monitoring Officer Santosh Adhikari, Mero News’ Facebook page and Reels account were found to have shared a video titled “Oli KP Oli,” which the Council described as containing material capable of inciting tension.
The Council reminded journalists and media houses of their responsibility to disseminate factual, balanced content, warning that any publication that disrupts social harmony or promotes violence contravenes the Journalist Code of Conduct.
The notice instructs Mero News to either suspend or edit the video and inform the Council within 24 hours. It also cautions media outlets not to publish or broadcast similar content in the future.
What the letter says
The letter states that a video titled “Oli on Simara incident” contained provocative expressions that could potentially promote violence. Although it does not specify which part must be edited, a Council official said the objection was linked to Oli’s statement: “If UML is attacked, UML will immediately strike back.”
Internal objections
The clarification move has drawn criticism from within the Council itself. Member Santaram Bidari warned against unhealthy practices, saying the Council must protect professional dignity by upholding both press freedom and the code of conduct.
He said that interference, whether subtle or direct, goes against the global principles of press freedom. Bidari also criticized decisions made informally, arguing that bypassing official Council procedures weakens institutional credibility.
Another Council member, Nima Kafle, said Oli’s comments were not exaggerated and that quoting or broadcasting statements by a former prime minister is a journalistic responsibility. She argued that turning such material into a disciplinary issue contradicts fundamental principles of press freedom.
Kafle, who was absent from the Code of Conduct Oversight Subcommittee meeting on November 25 due to health reasons, said she had no prior knowledge of the decision. She emphasized that Council decisions must be fair, transparent, and procedurally sound to maintain public trust.
UML-aligned group protests
Press Chautari Nepal, affiliated with the UML, has objected to the Council’s move, saying action was taken merely for broadcasting Oli’s remarks verbatim. The organization called the letter an attack on press freedom.
Press Chautari Chair Ganesh Pandey said publishing the public statements of a former prime minister is the duty of the media. He urged the Council to immediately correct what he described as a “press freedom-opposing act.”
Comment