The Nepal Media Society (NMS) has urged the Supreme Court to rectify its interim order directing the Press Council to take action against Kantipur daily for reporting news highlighting the discrepancies in the birth date mentioned by Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli in his official documents.

Issuing a press statement on Monday, the NMS pointed out that recent episode including the ongoing court contempt case against the  daily at the SC is against the fundamental right of Freedom of Press that is ensured by the Constitution of Nepal 2015.

“It is beyond imagination that the leadership of the judiciary, which is the guardian of press freedom, in a vengeful manner, is trying to discourage the autonomy of other state organs,” read the statement signed by NMS Chairman Pushkarlal Shrestha and General Secretary Shubhashankar Kandel.

The NMS also said that there is no alternative to promote a favourable environment for the press to perform their duties without hindrances to maintain transparency in a democratic society.

“The NMS strongly objects towards the attitude of the respected judiciary to silence the citizens and impose censorship on free press,” read the statement.

The NMS also expressed its belief that the judiciary would express its commitment regarding its responsibility urging all to abide by the spirit of the constitution.