KATHMANDU: Editors of Nepal’s leading media outlets have expressed serious concern over attempts to arrest journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak using police force, calling it a regrettable move and an attack on press freedom.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the editors strongly objected to the Kathmandu District Court’s recent orders, which they said raise serious questions about the right to a fair hearing. They opposed the use of the Electronic Transactions Act—originally intended for a different purpose—to issue an arrest warrant against Pathak.
While acknowledging that journalists must remain accountable for their published content, the editors stressed that freedom of expression and press freedom are fundamental rights protected by the Constitution.
“Therefore, we call on the authorities to revoke the arrest warrant against Dilbhusan Pathak,” the statement read. “We also urge the government and parliament to initiate the process to amend problematic provisions in the Electronic Transactions Act that threaten fundamental rights such as freedom of expression.”
The editors emphasized that legal provisions already exist to address grievances regarding inaccurate or vague content, either through the Press Council or the judiciary.
“But using a law meant for other purposes to deploy police against a journalist is deeply concerning,” they stated. “Such misuse of the law has happened before, creating a discriminatory situation where ordinary citizens must seek legal recourse through courts, while powerful actors use the police to carry out arrests.”
The statement also criticized a recent Kathmandu District Court order requiring certain online news content to be removed without giving media houses an opportunity to present their case. This, they argued, undermines the right to a fair hearing.
“Moreover, the order not only mandates the removal of published content but also prohibits future publication—effectively imposing prior restraint, which violates constitutional protections,” the editors said, calling on Nepal’s judiciary to seriously reconsider the implications of such actions.
The statement follows court directives issued in response to stories published by online news portals including Bizmandu.com and Nepalkhabar.com.
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