Kathmandu [Nepal], July 13 – Suspiciously parked vehicles outside the offices of three major media organisations in Kathmandu on Monday prompted a police response and drew condemnation from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) which called for an immediate investigation into the incident.
Vehicles were found parked outside the offices of Onlinekhabar, Himalaya TV and Kantipur Media House at around the same time, blocking access to the premises.
After noticing the suspicious parking, the media organisations informed police, who arrived at the locations and began searching for the owners of the vehicles. Police had not identified who was responsible at the time of reporting.
Responding to the incident, the RSP said it had taken serious note of reports about unidentified vehicles being parked outside media offices.
The party said any attempt to create fear among media organisations or place journalists under psychological pressure was a direct violation of democratic values. It said it has consistently supported press freedom, citizens’ right to information and independent journalism.
The party said any activity that undermines freedom of information and communication, creates fear within media houses or seeks to weaken the role of the press is unacceptable.
Calling free and fearless journalism the lifeblood of democracy, the party condemned what it described as attempts to intimidate the media.
It urged the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Home Affairs and security agencies to conduct an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation, identify those responsible and take legal action against anyone involved.
The party also appealed to media organisations and journalists to continue carrying out truth-based journalism without yielding to pressure or intimidation, and reiterated its commitment to the safety of media workers, media institutions and full press freedom.
