Home Ministry Reverses Media Surveillance Decision Amid Stakeholder Protests

The Ministry of Home Affairs has retracted its recent directive to enhance media surveillance, following widespread backlash from various stakeholders. Initially, a circular was issued to all District Administration Offices (DAOs) across Nepal, empowering Chief District Officers (CDOs) to regulate and penalize online news portals, social media platforms such as Facebook, and print media outlets disseminating content deemed to challenge law and order. This decision, attributed to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, was met with criticism, with the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) condemning it as a bid for 'controlled governance'.

Responding to the concerns raised by stakeholders, the Home Ministry announced the withdrawal of the directive in a notice released on Thursday evening. Criticism against Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane's initiative included accusations of encroaching upon freedom of expression and constitutional rights, with stakeholders fearing restrictions on media freedom. The circular instructed government officials to take action against those spreading defamatory or misleading content, inciting disharmony, or compromising national unity, while also mandating the establishment of monitoring desks at district police and administration offices.

The FNJ voiced strong opposition to the directive, asserting that media regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the Press Council Nepal rather than the Ministry of Home Affairs. FNJ President Bipul Pokharel emphasized that such actions contradict the constitution and aim to curb freedom of expression. Secretary at the Home Ministry, Ek Narayan Aryal, issued the directive to the chief district officers of all 77 districts, affirming the importance of their role in maintaining peace, security, and good governance.