The South Asian Journalists Forum (SJF) has strongly condemned the arrest of senior Nepali journalist and editor-in-chief of Jana Aastha Weekly, Kishor Shrestha.
The SJF has called for his immediate and unconditional release. Shrestha was arrested in Lalitpur on the evening of August 12 by police officers attached to the Kathmandu District Police Office and the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office over an alleged violation of the 2018 Privacy Act.
The regional journalists’ body described the direct detention of a senior editor over reporting activities as a serious blow to media freedom, democratic principles and freedom of expression across South Asia.
The SJF stressed that complaints regarding published reports should be addressed through established regulatory bodies such as the Press Council Nepal or resolved through civil proceedings rather than arbitrary detention.
It also warned that using law enforcement mechanisms to detain journalists creates a chilling effect on independent media, discourages public-interest investigative journalism and undermines the fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Nepal’s Constitution.
Reaffirming that media freedom remains a fundamental pillar of democracy throughout the SAARC region, the SJF’s Central Executive Committee called on Nepalese authorities to strictly adhere to international standards.
Along with demanding Shrestha’s immediate release, the SJF urged the Nepalese government and law enforcement agencies to stop the use of criminal law against media professionals, respect due regulatory processes and ensure a safe and intimidation-free working environment for all media workers.
SJF President Raju Lama said the organisation would continue to stand in solidarity with Nepal’s media community while closely monitoring developments.
