KATHMANDU (Nazrana Times): The SAARC Journalist Forum has condemned the arrests of journalists in Nepal and urged the government to protect press freedom and ensure that media workers can carry out their professional duties freely and safely.

A Free Press Is a Foundation of Democracy

The Forum’s International President, Raju Lama, said an independent press was a strong foundation of democracy rather than a threat to it. He described protecting journalists and ensuring media freedom as essential responsibilities of democratic governments.

The organisation urged authorities to respect constitutional guarantees, follow due legal procedures and provide an environment where journalists can work without fear of retaliation or intimidation. It reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom, professional journalism and solidarity among journalists across South Asia.

Concerns Over Police Action in Newsrooms

According to Nepal-based press freedom organisation Freedom Forum, police detained Nepal Press journalist Bishwamani Subedi, DNA Khabar journalist Dhiraj Basnet and Motivate News journalist Shobhraj Baral in Kathmandu on October 30. Officers also visited the offices of Naya Patrika and Diyo Post seeking other journalists.

Freedom Forum’s October 31 report said the detained journalists were released after a few hours. The organisation objected to journalists being taken into custody for questioning about published reports and their sources.

Police Response and Press Council Concerns

Local media reports quoted police as saying that journalists had been called to provide information about the accuracy and basis of published news reports.

The prime minister’s secretariat denied prior knowledge of or involvement in the incidents and said instructions had been issued to release the journalists.

Press Council Nepal called on authorities to clarify the legal grounds for the police action and use established procedures to address complaints concerning published content. It also urged journalists and media organisations to follow professional standards and ensure that their reporting is accurate and evidence-based.