Agreement reached to release journalists arrested for posting news

KATHMANDU: Press Council Nepal (PCN), Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and Dllibazaar Kanya Campus have forged a five-point agreement on Sunday, clearing deck for the release of online journalists arrested on charge of cyber crime for the content published online.

According to the agreement, the PCN has agreed to take immediate action against the accused after an investigation as ‘they have breached the journalist code of conduct, and the campus to withdraw the charges against them.

They agreed to ask the concerned website to retract the news material that claimed unnatural sexual activities are done the campus’ toilet.

The Metropolitan Police Crime Investigation Division (MPCID) had arrested Sushil Pant, the editor of nepaliheadlines.com, on Thursday on the charge of “defaming” Dillibazar Multiple Kanya Campus through a news piece. According to the police, the journalists were arrested after they posted malicious news reports claiming to have found “brinjals” in the college restrooms.

The Metropolitan Police Range Hanumandhoka had filed the cyber crime case against them according to Electronic Transaction Act 2008. They were remanded to seven days in police custody on Friday.

The journalists will be released on Monday. Various media related organizations opposed the move to detain journalists in connection with publishing a news item as Press Council Nepal has the authority to look after such issues.