Province 1 Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai has ruled out any possibility of muzzling the media in the country. Rai, who is also a former communications minister, said that any attempt to go against the constitution would be foiled as the citizens’ governments were formed at all three levels—federal, provincial and local. “The sub-judice contempt of court case against Kantipur Publications should be decided as per the spirit of the constitution,” said Rai at a programme organised at Reporter’s Club Nepal in Kathmandu on Saturday. He said it is wrong if someone intentionally tries to control the media. 

“There is a provision of complete press freedom in the constitution,” said the CM, adding that the media should play constructive role for development and prosperity of the country. 

On February 24, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli had issued an interim order, directing the Press Council Nepal to probe news reports published by Kantipur daily regarding inconsistencies of his birth date in official documents. The court directed Kantipur Publications Chairman and Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya, Director Swastika Sirohiya, Kantipur daily Editor-in-Chief Sudheer Sharma and reporter Krishna Gyawali to appear in person before the court and record their statements. 

Attempt to suppress press wrong: Koirala

RAJBIRAJ: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Shekhar Koirala has condemned the judiciary’s act to muzzle press freedom. Speaking at a programme in Rajbiraj, the district headquarters of Saptari, on Saturday, Koirala said democracy cannot exist without press freedom. “There won’t be Nepal, there won’t be democracy if attempts are made to tighten the screw on the free press,” said the NC leader. (PR)