In an official release, IFJ and its affiliates Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Press Union (NPU) raised serious concerns stating that the new Act has some restrictive provisions and urged for immediate amendments to the same.

“Nepal’s new Criminal Codes Act 2018 curtails freedom of expression and the press. Some provisions of the Act, especially Sections 293 to 308 relating to privacy and defamation, are restrictive to the press freedom and criminalize expression,” reads an IFJ release.

IFJ pointed at few Sections of Nepal’s Criminal Code 2018 in its release, which include:

• Section 293, which doesn’t allow listening or recording conversations without consent
• Section 294, which prohibits publicizing private information without consent
• Section 295, which disallows capturing photos without consent
• Section 296, which disagrees with selling or publishing photos for commercial purpose without permission of the subject covered in the photographs
• Section 298, which is against receiving/sending or publishing unauthorized information on an electronic medium
• Section 305, which condemns slander
• Section 306, which is against acts including those in satirical ways.

The new Code considers violation of rules under aforementioned sections as punishable offense subjecting the convict to 1-3 years imprisonment and Rs 10,000-30,000 (USD 100-300) penalty.

In this regard, IFJ supports the Nepali journalists’ unions such as Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and Nepal Press Union (NPU) who have been raising similar concerns since the day the Act was brought to implementation on August 17, 2018.

IFJ expresses serious concerns over the restrictive provisions of the Criminal Codes Act of Nepal; and demands immediate amendments to ensure they adhere to the international standards and principles of freedom of expression and press freedom. At the time when Nepali media and journalists are facing security threats, such provisions will be misused to harass journalists and media; and obstruct independent as well as investigative journalism  –  IFJ Official Release

The new code put forth by the Oli-led Nepali Government came as a replacement to the country’s 15 existing laws and 55-year-old civil & criminal laws.

What FNJ Says?
More than 80 journalists faced criminal cases and harassment due to one provision in the Electronic Transaction Act for their news. The new Act has dozens of such provisions that criminalizes written or spoken expression; and journalists face imprisonment up to three years for merely writing news. This is against the international standards and principles of press freedom; as well as the Constitution of Nepal.  – Govinda Acharya, President, FNJ

The NPU condemns the Act with provisions that restrict journalists to report, write and take photograph. Such restrictions are against the democratic norms and values; and indicate towards authoritarianism. The NPU demands immediate amendment in the unacceptable provisions of the law. – Badri Sigdel, President, NPU

Taking their move ahead, FNJ has also announced a nation-wide agitation from August 28 to September 7, 2018.

Also Read:

• New Law to Check Transparency in NGO Activities
• Nepal Criminal Code Draws Criticism, ‘Press Freedom’ Plays Vital
• Nepal Criminal Code Sought for Fight Against Rape Victims
• Nepal Civil Code and Criminal Code Acts to Ensure Justice

The post Nepal Criminal Code 2018: IFJ Serious, Calls ‘Criminalizing Press Freedom’ appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Oli Government’s new Criminal Code seems to have started spreading heat waves across the country. As usual, the heat began with the ‘media’ pointing at the new law!

Nepal’s media community has reportedly raised concerns over the new law saying that the new criminal code is suppressing the press freedom.

Press associations have claimed that the government is using the ‘code’ as a tool to silence critics.

Journos Take on Criminal Code

“These general laws can be misused to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting,” says Govinda Acharya, President, Federation of Nepalese Journalists.

According to Acharya, the new codes have nearly 200 provisions to curtail the press freedom.

“Though several provisions in these codes are positive, almost all sections from 21 to 306 will pose a threat to free press and freedom of expression in one way or the other,” Acharya adds.

Whereas, Press Council Nepal President Borna Bahadur Karki says, “the provisions against press freedom can be amended accordingly, but it is not appropriate to interpret the laws wrongly.”

Meanwhile, Nepal’s popular political cartoonist Rajesh K.C. termed the new law as a means to ‘authoritarianism’.

“Our work is to point out mistakes and abuses of those in power, but these laws can force self-censorship,” says Rajesh, who is known for his satirical cartoons on social issues and country’s politics.

Another premier state-owned media house urged the government to reconsider the law, stating that the new law has lot of scope for interpretations and could be used to prosecute journalists.

“These general laws can be misused to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting,” says a senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi. Tripathi feels that the new laws placed press freedom at stake.

Badri Sigdel, president of Nepal Press Union (NPU), says the new code is violating the Constitutional provisions and is keen on controlling the press rights. 

Thrashing all statements, Senior Superintendent of Police Thakur Gyawali at the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police says, “Since the new laws have come into force upon their publication in the Nepal Gazette, all should abide by the provisions mentioned therein.”

“Whether or not the laws are against press freedom will come to light in the course of their implementation,” adds Superintendent of Police Narendra Upreti at Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Crime Division.

What’s Criticism in the Code?
The new code has drawn wide criticism majorly for following reasons, i.e.

• It considers sharing confidential information as a jailable offense
• It subjects any individual, involved in publishing of private information or recording audio or capturing pictures without permission, up to three years jail along with a fine
• It considers as an offense any act that intends to damage an individual’s reputation either personally or through satires
• It replaces the country’s 165-year-old practice of ‘Muluki Ain’
• It calls for prosecution of any medical professional causing a patient’s death while undertaking treatment
• It calls ‘unauthorized reporting of communication between two people’ as a serious crime

Now, its worth-wait to see what more mixed reactions the new Criminal Code would drive from other sections of the society too!

Also Read

• Nepal Civil Code and Criminal Code Acts to Ensure Justice

The post Nepal Criminal Code Draws Criticism, ‘Press Freedom’ Plays Vital appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

At a program organized by the International Literary Society of Maryland Chapter, the Nepali community pitched on the need for promotion of Nepali language on a global scale.

Towards this end, they urged all the Nepali communities living in foreign destinations to come forward for the world-class translation of key Nepali literary works into English and other international languages.

“There was the need of publications that would provide information to the future generations about language, culture and tradition. A book on various subjects providing information to the future generation on Nepal and written in the English language which meets the global standard is badly needed at present,” says Kishor Nepal, an author and the Former President of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ).

Kishor urged the Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) to extend support to their homeland in promoting Nepali literature through their skills and knowledge.

Translation, Need of the Hour

HB Bhandari, American politician of Nepali origin, called on for an immediate move towards translation of important Nepali documents and literary works.

Bhandari highlighted that there exists a sort of confusion in US-based universities regarding research on various Nepal-related topics.

NRN Maryland Chapter Pledges Support

In response, NRN Maryland Chapter President Durga Shrestha pledged the community’s support towards promotion and preservation Nepali language and literature, while highlighting its efforts for socio-economic transformation of Nepal.

Nepalese Journalists in America (NEJA) Former President Gautam Dahal called on the Non-Resident Nepali journalists community to come forward towards promotion of Nepali literature and language.

Journalist Tarun Poudel, Madhukar Adhikari, Dr Uttam Gauli, Dr Krishna Bista and Morgan State University Professor Dr Bhim Kattel were among other key delegates and speakers present at the event.

The post Pitch for Global Recognition to Nepali Language and Literature appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

An international media conference with the theme ‘Promotion of Freedom of Expression and the Voice of Marginalized Communities in the Media’ began in Kathmandu yesterday.

Jointly organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the International Alert, the conference witnessed discussions on various key issues including amendments, laws, among others related to the development of Nepal.

In her inaugural address, Nepali Parliament Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar stated that the Nepali Constitution fully guarantees the press freedom and urged the media to ensure due importance to the concerns of marginalized sections of the society.

She termed mass communication as the best means to institutionalize and enhance the democracy.

Onsari further informed that the key task of implementing the Nepali Constitution will be completed with the conclusion of the country’s federal and provincial elections between November 26-December 7, 2017.

In this regard, she urged on the need for amendment and revision of various Acts and regulations of Nepal in line with the federalism.

Meanwhile, FNJ President Govinda Acharya said, “Although the constitution has guaranteed the freedom to write and express, there were challenges to put this into practice.”

Tribhuvan University’s (TU) journalism professor P Kharel pointed at lack of implementation regarding press freedom.

Senior journalist Kishor Nepal also stressed on the need for focus on marginalized communities.

The two-day international conference that will end today has brought together the journalists and media experts from various countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, among others.

The post International Media Conference Raises Key Issues of Nepal appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba yesterday inaugurated the 25th General Assembly of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ).

In his augural address at the event, Deuba said the government is committed to help the media sector and will not control it.

“The government will not hold back media under any circumstances. I think it is hard to run media sector as there are lots of publications in the country,” said Deuba, who is also the President of ruling Nepali Congress.

Terming media’s role as instrumental for democracy, Deuba said the media can ensure stability in democracy by suggesting, warning and criticizing the political parties. Political parties and media should work in collaboration for the country’s development, he added.

While the FNJ voting is set to happen today, Tirtha Koirala, Govinda Acharya and Ujir Magar are competing for the top post of FNJ.

The post Government Will Not Control Media: PM appeared first on Nepali Sansar.