FNJ Kathmandu Objects to Court Order to Remove Online News Content

बैशाख ३१, २०८३ १४:२९

Kathmandu. The Kathmandu branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has objected to an interim order issued by the Kathmandu District Court directing the removal of news content published on an online media platform.

The FNJ has stated that the court’s order to delete news reports and related comments from the domain of BimaPost.com amounts to a direct interference in press freedom.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FNJ Kathmandu branch said the growing tendency to “criminalize” news content is inconsistent with democratic norms and values.

BimaPost.com published two news reports on 7 April 2026 and 9 April 2026, alleging involvement of former CNI president Bishnu Agrawal in customs and VAT-related fraud in connection with vehicle imports. Following these publications, the Kathmandu District Court issued an interim order directing the removal of the news content and related comments.

The FNJ, recalling that the Constitution of Nepal guarantees freedom of the press, stated that compelling the removal of published news through court orders undermines constitutional press rights.

The statement further said such actions could create unnecessary pressure on the media sector and urged concerned authorities to take the issue seriously.

The FNJ also noted that Nepal already has institutional mechanisms, such as Press Council Nepal, to address grievances related to media content. It argued that instead of bypassing such procedures, matters of complaint and investigation should be handled through proper regulatory channels rather than direct removal orders.