JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 29, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
Nepal Police arrested Gopal Chand, the editor of an online news portal postpati.com, on November 27 under a cyber law for publishing news about a co-chairman of the ruling party.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in expressing concerns over the arrest and demands the immediate release of Chand.
Editor Chand was arrested from Manamaiju, Kathmandu by the Central Intelligence Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police after he published news that a local in Chitwan district attempted to attack former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ also co-chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, during a meeting. Police have accused Chand of spreading false information and charged him under the Electronic Transaction Act.
Ramesh Bista, the FNJ General Secretary, said: “Nepal Police has stepped outside their premises by repeatedly arresting journalists on cyber-crimes charges, which the FNJ considers an attack on press freedom. It is the responsibility of the Press Council of Nepal to evaluate the contents of media and to take action. The arrest of journalists for their contents harasses journalists community, and the FNJ demands the immediate release of the arrested journalist.”
In a separate incident, journalist Kamal Paudel Athak was threatened for news about fraud on September 29. Paudel, associated with various news outlets in Pokhara, west Nepal, received a threatening phone call from a person who didn’t disclose his identity.
Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, the General Secretary of IFJ affiliate Nepal Press Union said: “The NPU strongly condemn the threat to journalist who was exercising his rights to inform the public and write about fraud and corruption.”
The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns arrest of journalist Gopal Chand, and threatening phone call to journalist Kamal Paudel Athak in Nepal. The incidents show the weakening press freedom. The IFJ demands immediate release of Chand and arrest of the person who threatened Paudel. Nepal government should ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future. – IFJ media release
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.