KATHMANDU: The Press Council Nepal has expressed serious concern over the arrest of Aastha Media Chair and Jana Aastha weekly editor Kishor Shrestha and the subsequent entry of armed police into the media house, where computers and other materials were reportedly seized.
Issuing a statement on Thursday, the council said it had taken note of Shrestha’s arrest on Wednesday night, the search of his private residence and the entry of armed personnel into the Jan Aastha office on Thursday morning.
The council said citizens’ right to information is guaranteed through press freedom and stressed that maintaining the dignity of the press is the responsibility of all concerned parties.
At the same time, it reminded journalists and media organisations that press freedom must be exercised within professional standards and the journalistic code of conduct.
The council said press freedom should not be interpreted as unrestricted freedom and urged journalists and media professionals to practise journalism based on truth, facts, balance and credibility.
The Press Council said it has been handling complaints against journalists and media organisations, including investigations, necessary action and mediation in cases involving violations of the journalistic code of conduct.
In cases of violations, the council can direct media outlets to publish or broadcast a rebuttal, correct errors or issue an apology. It can also issue warnings or draw the attention of concerned media organisations to violations.
The council said it can also recommend or take measures that may affect a media outlet’s classification and access to certain government facilities.
According to the council, measures can include recommending exclusion from public welfare advertisements and other facilities, removal from registration lists, and suspension of press representative certificates or press passes through the concerned authorities.
It can also recommend that journalists or media organisations facing serious violations be subjected to further action by the Federation of Nepali Journalists or the concerned media organisation.
The council said those who disregard its decisions or directives can be blacklisted, with details of the action made public.
The Press Council urged anyone dissatisfied with published news to file a complaint with the council through established legal procedures.
The council said it continues to monitor both professional conduct by journalists and media organisations and possible misuse of press freedom.
It stressed that disputes over news content should be addressed through the established regulatory and legal mechanisms while also reminding the media sector of its responsibility to uphold professional ethics.
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