Press Statement

Nepal: Parliament suspends entry passes of two journalists

06 Mar, 2025

Following a press meeting with Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and House of Representatives on February 16, the Federal Parliament Secretariat barred independent journalists Kishor Shrestha and Prakash Oli from the legislature’s premises on March 4 for their alleged breach of “parliamentary norms and discipline”. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and its affiliate, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) express concern over the barring and urge the Secretariat to ensure their actions align with press freedom.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli waves before his departure from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on December 2, 2024. Credit: Aryan Dhimal / AFP

On March 4, the Federal Parliament Secretariat suspended the entry passes of journalists Kishor Shrestha and Prakash Oli for one month, citing their alleged violation of “parliamentary dignity and discipline” following a parliamentary meeting attended by Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli on February 16.

Kishor Shrestha, operator of YouTube channel ‘Sunaulo Nepal’ and Prakash Oli, operator of YouTube channel ‘Yuwa Man Nepal’, reportedly asked Prime Minister Oli if he identifies as a “dictator” while the Prime Minister walked to his vehicle. The Secretariat stated Shrestha and Oli incited “inappropriate language contrary to the fundamental values of dignified journalism” and gave the journalists until March 5 to return their press passes.

In a statement, the FNJ reiterated any jurisdiction to assess questions posed to the House of Representatives and its alignment with the Journalist Code of Conduct (2016) must be overseen by the Press Council of Nepal, the national self-regulatory body for the media.

Journalists and media workers in Nepal continue to face barriers to independent press regulation, with the National Assembly granting greater power to the Government in its passing of the Media Council Bill 2080 on February 10. Media unions and human rights groups criticised the bill for new provisions requiring a government-appointed chairperson for the 11-member council as limiting the council’s effectiveness. Media unions and human rights groups criticised the bill for new provisions increasing government control and limiting inputs from unions and the media community.

The FNJ said:“The Federation urges the Federal Parliament to respect press freedom by withdrawing the suspension of the journalists’ passes, taking into account the jurisdiction of the Council. In addition, the Federation draws the attention of journalists and the media to observe the journalist code of conduct in the course of performing their professional duties.”

The IFJ said:“The IFJ expresses concern at the barring of two journalists from the House of Representatives. The Federal Parliament Secretariat must ensure that their actions are not contrary to press freedom.”

Written By

IFJ Asia-Pacific IFJ Asia-Pacific

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