Nepal introduced a new criminal code on Friday that makes sharing confidential information a jailable offence, sparking concerns among journalists that the laws could be used to muzzle the press.
Media have warned that the Communist-led government, which has shown an increasing intolerance for dissent, could use the vaguely worded code to silence critics. The new laws make publishing private information, recording audio or taking pictures without permission punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine.
Publishing content that damages a person’s reputation directly or through satire is also subject to the same sentence.
Open to misuse
“These general laws can be misused to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting,” Federation of Nepalese Journalists president Govinda Acharya said. Prominent political cartoonist Rajesh K.C. warned that the new laws mark a slide towards “authoritarianism”. “Our work is to point out mistakes and abuses of those in power, but these laws can force self-censorship,” said the cartoonist, whose satirical cartoons appear regularly in top newspapers.
The Kathmandu Post newspaper called for the government to reconsider the laws, which are worded in a way that leaves “much room for interpretations” and could be used to prosecute journalists, an editorial said.
The Himalayan nation is ranked 106 out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.