Federation of Nepali (FNJ) Journalists has said that its attention has been drawn towards the Supreme Court order regarding a Contempt of Court case against Kantipur Daily and the subsequent responses.

Issuing a press statement on Monday, FNJ said that the publication and dissemination of any news article is the right of any media bestowed by the Constitution.

“The Constitution of Nepal 2072 has ensured press freedom clearly mentioning and  granting discretionary right of media house,” read the statement.

The FNJ has said it will hold internal meeting and discussions with the concerned stakeholders regarding the SC order and its responses before making public any further statements.

Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli on Sunday had issued an interim order directing the Press Council to probe news reports published by Kantipur daily that highlighted discrepancies in his birth date mentioned by him in official documents.

The Supreme Court had ordered the Press Council to investigate the matter and ensure news against CJ Parajuli are not published again. It has also asked the council to immediately investigate whether the news articles published by Kantipur on various dates violate the journalists’ code of conduct or not.

CJ Parajuli has issued the order, putting the contempt of court case over the controversy surrounding his date of birth from his own bench.

Meanwhile, legal and media experts have criticised CJ Parajuli’s order saying that the order is against the spirit of constitutional provision that ensures freedom of press implying that the judiciary has become repressive.