The Election Commission of Nepal has issued an official letter to the media regulatory body, Press Council Nepal, requesting removal of a documentary published by BBC on February 26.
The documentary titled Shot Like Enemies: Inside Nepal's Gen Z Uprising was published on the YouTube channels of BBC World Service (English) and BBC Nepali Sewa (Nepali) on the same day. Both videos have gathered approximately 2.5 million views. According to description on the video, the documentary is based on more than 4,000 videos, photographs, and leaked police radio transcripts obtained by BBC journalists. The documentary focuses exclusively on the Gen Z uprise held on September 8.
The Commission has reportedly expressed concern over the documentary’s content, citing its potential impact on the upcoming House of Representatives election. According to Sujan Maharjan from Monitoring Division of the council, PCN is currently investigating the case.
Freedom Forum is concerned over the incident.
FF’s Executive Chief Taranath Dahal states that disclosing the truth through investigative reporting is a duty of press and right to know the truth is a fundamental right of public. However, if the content of a report is false, fabricated or manipulative, the concerned authorities may take legitimate action in accordance with the law."
Ordering the removal of the published content is against the press freedom, he noted.
For more,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
