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KATHMANDU, June 1 - Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) on Saturday deplored remarks by Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal against Kantipur Publications and said these had cast serious doubts over his party’s commitment to press freedom.
Issuing a press statement, the umbrella organization of Nepali journalists said such remarks made by the Maoist chairman against the independent press cannot be taken as normal at a time when the Maoists are preparing to head the new government as the largest party in the Constituent Assembly.

Addressing a victory rally organized at the Open Air Theater on Friday to mark the declaration of republic, Dahal had warned of serious consequences if Kantipur Publications continued publishing news critical of his party. He had also asked journalists from other media houses as well to keep this in mind while writing news reports.

“This kind of pointed remarks against a particular publication from the chairman of the CPN (Maoist), the largest party in the CA, has raised serious doubts over Maoist commitment to a free press,” said the statement.

Referring to Dahal’s earlier remarks that the Nepali media had played a crucial role in making the democracy movement and Maoist people’s war a success, the journalists’ body said the recent statement from the top Maoist leadership has made it clear that the Maoists do have double standards in terms of press freedom.

It has also demanded that the Maoists make public their policy towards the independent press.