The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has strongly condemned police conduct, describing the arrest of journalists from their workplaces as “state terrorism.”
The federation has warned the government that it will launch a protest movement if such arrests continue.
FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal said arbitrary police arrests of journalists are unconstitutional, violate press freedom and conflict with international legal principles.
He also called on authorities to immediately end the practice of sending uniformed officers into newsrooms to arrest journalists, saying it violates the constitution, press freedom and international law.
Journalist taken from Nepal Press newsroom
The federation’s statement followed the Friday arrest of Bishwamani Subedi, a journalist with Nepal Press. Police detained him in the newsroom at the organisation’s office in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu.
The arrest raised concern among media professionals because Subedi was taken directly from his workplace.
Plain clothes officers visit New Patrika office
Later that day, five plain clothes police officers entered the office of the daily newspaper New Patrika.
The officers reportedly identified themselves as members of the Crime Investigation Office in Teku. They told editor Khagendra Pant that they intended to arrest reporter Nawaraj Mainali and take him to the Cyber Bureau.
The incident heightened concerns further.
Another journalist detained in Kathmandu
Police also arrested journalist Shovraj Baral on Friday. Baral, chairman and editor in chief of Motive News, was detained at his office in Kathmandu’s Anamnagar area and was reportedly taken to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office in Teku.
The reasons for the individual arrests remain unclear.
FNJ warns of action
The federation has issued an ultimatum to the government and police, calling on them to stop detaining journalists directly from newsrooms.
Dahal said that if the practice continues, the FNJ will have no alternative but to launch a movement against what he described as unacceptable state actions.
The FNJ says journalists must be able to work without fear. Disputes concerning published news, it says, should be addressed through legal channels.
Press freedom concerns grow
The recent incidents have prompted renewed debate in Nepal about the relationship between law enforcement and the media.
While authorities are responsible for investigating complaints and enforcing the law, press freedom advocates say police must not undermine journalists’ independence.
The FNJ’s demand puts pressure on the government to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrests and ensure that legal procedures are followed, without creating fear among journalists and media organisations.