JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 14, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channelPhotojournalist Barsha Shah was arrested and detained for three hours for taking pictures of a protest outside the President’s Office at the Shital Niwas in Kathmandu, Nepal on December 13.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Press Union (NPU) in strongly criticizing the arrest and detention of Barsha Shah and demands the respect to journalists’ rights from Nepali authorities.
Police arrested Shah, associated with Deshsanchar.com, as she was taking pictures of the protesters who had reached the president’s residence to hand over a crowdfunded toy car as a symbolic protest to the government’s decision to purchase an expensive, luxurious bullet-proof car.
Police arrested Shah although she introduced herself as a photojournalist and showed her press card. Although Nepal Police maintained that she was arrested in a prohibited zone, Deputy Superintendent of Police Phadindra Prasai apologized to her for the police misbehavior while releasing her after three hours.
Ramesh Bista, the FNJ General Secretary, said: “It’s an act against press freedom to arrest a journalist exercising her professional rights. The FNJ condemns the police action and urges the authorities not to repeat such act and to respect the constitutional rights of the press.”
Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, the NPU General Secretary, said: “The arrest of journalist Shah is a result of government’s attempt to restrict the freedom of expression and press freedom. The NPU believes that her arrest is an attack on democracy and press freedom and urges the government to respect the independence of the media and stand for the freedom of expression.”
The Photojournalist Club - Nepal, an FNJ associate and the umbrella organization of photojournalists, condemned the arrest of Shah terming it as an attack on press freedom and democracy.
The IFJ said: "The IFJ condemns the arrest and detention of photojournalist Barsha Shah in Kathmandu, Nepal. It’s highly concerning that Nepal government arrested a journalist for merely taking photos of a peaceful protest. It’s an act against the press freedom and shows the authorities’ attempt to narrow down the rights of the journalists and the citizens. The IFJ demands that Nepal government respect the journalists’ rights and allow them to freely conduct their duties to inform the public.” – IFJ media release/Photo: Deshsanchar.com
February 09, 2025: Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.
February 08, 2025: As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.
February 07, 2025: PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.
February 06, 2025: PFUJ has challenged the controversial PECA Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court, citing it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists and rights organizations protest the law’s implications for free speech and media independence in Pakistan.
February 06, 2025: Pakistani women journalists like Munizae Jahangir and Asma Shirazi face severe threats, harassment, and online abuse. This article explores the struggles of women in media, the systemic challenges, and potential solutions to ensure press freedom and journalist safety.
January 29, 2025: As the White House welcomes podcasters and digital journalists, Pakistan tightens censorship through PECA amendments, silencing independent voices and forcing journalists into exile. A stark contrast in press freedom emerges.
January 29, 2025: Pakistan’s latest PECA amendments expand government control over social media, criminalize misinformation, and threaten freedom of expression. Media stakeholders and human rights groups condemn the draconian changes. Learn more about the implications for journalists and activists.
January 28, 2025: The Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy has raised concerns over the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, highlighting its risks to free speech, democratic values, and digital rights in Pakistan.
February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.
February 07, 2025 Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.
February 05, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.
February 04, 2025 Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.
February 03, 2025 Cambodian journalists Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat have been detained on incitement charges after publishing a video allegedly showing torture in a cyberscam center. Press freedom advocates call for their immediate release.