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NEPAL-LAW-MEDIA
Nepal crime reform sparks press freedom concerns
KATHMANDU, Aug 17, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Nepal introduced a new criminal
code Friday that makes sharing confidential information a jailable offence,
sparking concerns among journalists that the laws could be used to muzzle the
press.
Media have warned that the Communist-led government, which has shown an
increasing intolerance for dissent, could use the vaguely worded code to
silence critics.
The new laws make publishing private information, recording audio or
taking pictures without permission punishable by up to three years in jail
and a fine.
Publishing content that damages a person’s reputation directly or
through satire is also subject to the same sentence.
“These general laws can be misused to silence journalists and discourage
investigative reporting,” Federation of Nepalese Journalists president
Govinda Acharya told AFP.
Prominent political cartoonist Rajesh KC warned that the new laws mark a
slide towards “authoritarianism”.
“Our work is to point out mistakes and abuses of those in power, but
these laws can force self-censorship,” said KC, whose satirical cartoons
appear regularly in top newspapers.
“This harms our democracy,” he added.
The Kathmandu Post newspaper called for the government to reconsider the
laws, which are worded in a way that leaves “much room for interpretations”
and could be used to prosecute journalists, an editorial said.
Nepal’s media industry has boomed since the monarchy was overthrown a
decade ago following a brutal civil war, spawning dozens of newspapers and
news channels.
A new constitution passed in 2015 enshrines the right to press freedom
and bans censorship of news, which was common under the monarchy.
But the Himalayan nation is ranked just 106 out of 180 countries in the
Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.
Journalists face intimidation and arrest, particularly if reporting on
issues deemed by authorities to affect national unity.
BSS/AFP/RY/12:08 hrs