Kathmandu, January 10

Nepal Media Society today said its serious attention was drawn to efforts being made to undermine press freedom.

A press statement issued by Nepal Media Society stated that a complaint filed by businessman Ajay Raj Parajuli Sumargi at District Administration Office, Kathmandu, against chairperson of Kantipur Publications Kailash Sirohiya, demanding protection of his life and property was a ploy to tarnish the image of the media house.

Nepal Media Society also asked the complainant to make it clear when and how Sirohiya threatened the life and property of Sumargi. “A publisher threatening a businessman is unimaginable,” the release states.

The release stated that the complainant himself had been in the news for money laundering. The news was based on the report of Central Investigation Bureau and Department of Money Laundering Investigation, it said.

Nepal Media Society also said that it would respect the legal challenge thrown by a party related to news, but not tolerate any move to control the media. Nepal Media Society demanded that journalists not be asked to disclose the source of their news. It has also urged the authorities not to harass journalists over news reports.