Asia News Network, an alliance of 20 leading media outlets in 19 countries, has expressed its concern with ‘media intimidation’ and detention of Kantipur Media Group Chairman Kailash Sirohiya.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, which will be formally delivered to the Nepali embassy in Thailand on Monday, the media network said Sirohiya’s arrest would hurt Nepal’s reputation as a democratic country.

“The ANN is extremely concerned with the apparent media intimidation to the Kantipur Media Group’s newsroom on May 21, 2024 and detention of KMG Chairman Kailash Sirohiya,” reads the letter undersigned by ANN chair Mahfuz Anam.

“The incident, which followed the media investigation into the conduct of a politician, will only impair Nepal’s reputation as a democratic country and its treatment of the press.”

ANN also said that the conduct of the police with their intrusion into the KMG newsroom and their heavy presence on the premises of the media company are unacceptable in a free media environment.

“So too is the case of Sirohiya, which would normally go through routine legal process,” it further said, adding that the rule of law must be fair and just; and not be seen otherwise.

The umbrella organisation requested Prime Minister Dahal to immediately cease all further police action and ensure a fair and appropriate legal process.

It also said that Nepal must restore its reputation and credibility as a democracy and a country that respects freedom of the press.

Formed in 1999 to promote the coverage of Asian affairs through Asian journalists, for readers in Asia, the ANN comprises China Daily, Daily Star (Bangladesh), Dawn (Pakistan), Eleven Media (Myanmar), Gogo Mongolia, Jakarta Post (Indonesia), Kuensel (Bhutan), The Kathmandu Post (Nepal), Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rasmei Kampuchea, The Phnom Penh Post (Cambodia), The Borneo Bulletin (Brunei), Yomiuri Shimbun/The Japan News, The Korea Herald, The Nation (Thailand), The Star, Sin Chew Daily (Malaysia), The Statesman (India), The Straits Times (Singapore), Vientiane Times (Laos), and Vietnam News.