The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has said that its attention has been drawn towards the remarks made by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) president Rabi Lamichhane during a press conference held on Sunday.

A press release issued by the FNJ stated that Lamichhane’s threatening remarks in the press conference accusing Nepali media of being baseless and biased are a serious attack on the freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

The statement issued by FNJ general secretary Roshan Puri said that such remarks coming from a person who is the president of the fourth largest party in the parliament and who has also been the Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Minister is an attack on the media sector as a whole.

“The Federation wants to make it clear that President Lamichhane and the Rastriya Swatantra Party should take responsibility if any untoward incident occurs due to the statement made by Lamichhane,” the statement reads, “The federation expresses concern over the fact that the safety of Nepal’s media institutions and media persons may be compromised due to threats made publicly by naming the media institutions and media persons.”

Through the statement, the FNJ has also said that it was objectionable and indecent to speak in a threatening manner as there are provisions as per the prevailing process and system for people who are not satisfied with the contents published in media.

“The Nepali press, which has continuously fought for the establishment of the federal democratic republic, protection of freedom of press and freedom of expression and civil rights, will not be unnerved by threats from any party or individual,” reads the statement.

The federation has strongly condemned Lamichhane’s threatening remarks and demanded that he withdraw the statement and respect the constitutional rights of the press.