KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has expressed serious concern over the arrest of senior journalist Kishor Shrestha, saying the incident raises questions about the government’s commitment to a free press.
The party said arresting a journalist over the publication of news indicates a weakening of the government’s commitment to press freedom.
RPP spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shrestha, expressing his views through Facebook, said it was inappropriate to involve the police directly when legally established bodies such as the Press Council Nepal exist to receive complaints and investigate matters related to published news.
“There are institutions responsible for investigating news-related complaints. It is not appropriate for the government to try to engage in politics by directly bringing in the police administration instead,” he said.
The RPP also questioned what the government seeks to achieve by weakening the morale of state institutions.
The party has urged the government to ensure an environment in which the independent press can work without interference, allow relevant statutory bodies to regulate the media and immediately release journalist Kishor Shrestha.
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