Suspicious activities against media an attack on democracy: RSP

KATHMANDU: The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has asked the government to take immediate action against individuals attempting to put psychological pressure on media houses by parking their vehicles outside their premises.

In a statement issued late Monday afternoon, the RSP said its attention has been drawn toward news reports of suspicious vehicles parked outside media houses. The party said such suspicious and mysterious activities, aimed at attacking the environment in which the mass media and journalists—recognized as the fourth pillar of the state—can work fearlessly or at subjecting them to psychological pressure, are a blatant violation of democratic norms and values.

“We call on the government, the home ministry and the concerned security agencies to immediately conduct a fair, impartial and fact-based investigation into these incidents, ensure the physical and psychological safety of all media organizations, and promptly identify and take legal action against whoever is found to be involved in such suspicious activities,” the party said.

The RSP also said, as a democratic and responsible political party committed to the rule of law, it has always stood firmly in support of full press freedom, people’s fundamental right to be informed and independent journalism.

Unidentified vehicles were left parked in front of media outlets like Kantipur Publications, OnlineKhabar.com and Himalayan TV since Monday morning. Police later removed them by using cranes.