RSP Calls for Probe into Police Actions Against Journalists

Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has called on the government to investigate incidents involving police entering newsrooms and questioning journalists over published reports, and take action against those responsible.

A meeting of the party’s Secretariat held at its headquarters on Saturday urged the government to act against any conduct that undermines press freedom, according to RSP spokesperson and former Communications Minister Jagadish Kharel.

Speaking after the meeting, Kharel said the party remained committed to press freedom, freedom of expression, the rule of law and human rights, adding that it would not compromise on these principles.

The party also called for prompt government action to prevent the recurrence of incidents involving the arrest of journalists or interference in the work of media organisations, publishers and media personnel.

It stressed that journalists, publishers and media houses should not face police action or intimidation for publishing news reports.

The statement follows incidents on Friday in which several journalists were taken into police custody and later released.