Kathmandu, October 5:

Freedom Forum filed a writ at the Supreme Court demanding the abrogation of the provisions made in the Rule 9 (a) and (i), Rule 16 (4), and Rule 18 (2) of the National Broadcasting Regulations-2052 BS, saying the provisions contradict with the Interim Constitution-2063 BS.

The regulation has banned the publicity of anything related to the king. It has also the provision to cancel the licence of any media which does not renew within the fixed period. Such provisions in the regulations have strangled the freedom of expression and interfered directly in the media. Therefore, intervention in fundamental rights bestowed by the constitution would be a challenge to the constitutional norms and values. As such, the regulation is in contradiction with the statute, the writ states.