The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the media fraternity have condemned the decision of Nepal Television management to cancel the talkshow programme, ‘Sidha Prasna’, at the alleged direction of Information and Communications Minister Gokul Baskota.

Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the FNJ termed the incident a “gross violation of freedom of expression and against the spirit of democracy and press freedom”.

The programme which had been on air for the past 12 years was abruptly cancelled after Minister Baskota’s interview where he was quizzed about his property.

The programme producer Raju Thapa said the programme was cancelled at the direct intervention of Minister Baskota.

The minister was apparently not pleased by how the interview went. Thapa said the minister was angry when he brought up the issue of 17 tolas of gold and  60 tolas of silver in his possession.

Thapa said the NTV General Manager Govinda Rokaya told him not to bother producing the show anymore.

“Minister Thapa is annoyed with your programme that was broadcast last Saturday. We were unable to do anything for you. Don’t’ produce the programme from now on,” Thapa quoted Roka as saying.

Roka, however, said that the show was cancelled owing to the FIFA World Cup 2018 broadcast schedule.

“Thapa’s programme was coming to an end anyway. The FIFA World Cup is also starting at the same time. That is why we urged Thapa to close his programme from this week,” he said.

 Minister Baskota rebuffed the allegation that the show was cancelled at his behest.