Freedom Forum is concerned over a contempt of court case filed against Nepal's vernacular Kantipur daily on May 2, the eve the World Press Freedom Day, over the news it published.
The news was published on April 24 about the lack of information on the educational attainment of the senior most Justice Gopal Parajuli in the judicial body.
The case was filed by advocate Santosh Bhandari at the apex court. With the suspension of the Chief Justice Sushila Karki, senior most justice Gopal Parajuli has become the Acting Chief Justice.
On the application, advocate Bhandari stated that such misleading news over the Justice defamed the court and Justice.
The Supreme Court has even started hearing on the case.
Freedom Forum condemns the filing of contempt of court case because it is against press freedom. FF,, therefore, urges the Supreme Court to respect journalists' right to free reporting. Only balanced relations between media and judiciary make democracy effective and functional.
For More Information,
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.og.np
Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np