Journalist Says Army Deleted Footage of Prime Minister in Pokhara, Press Federation Objects
Dragon Media Correspondent
A journalist has alleged that a Nepal Army security team assigned to Prime Minister Balendra Shah forced him to delete footage of the Prime Minister while he was staying in Pokhara. The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Kaski, has objected to the incident, describing it as a serious issue concerning press freedom.
Prime Minister Shah returned to Pokhara on Sunday after completing his Mustang visit and was staying at Majheri Manjil Resort in Pokhara Metropolitan City–14 when journalist Suresh Sunar of Mero Sathi TV.com filmed him.
According to Sunar, he was initially prevented from recording video from the resort gate. He then moved across the Bijayapur River and filmed the Prime Minister from the opposite side while Shah was inside the resort premises.
Sunar said that after members of the Army security team noticed him filming, they arrived in a vehicle and told him that the Prime Minister was on a “private visit.” He alleged that they then made him delete the recorded clips one by one from his camera.
Prime Minister Shah had arrived in Pokhara by road on Friday with family members and members of his secretariat. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadkaraj Paudel “Ganesh” was also accompanying the delegation.
On the way to Mustang, Shah stayed at Annapurna Eco Village in Astam of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality. Security was also tightened there, with journalists reportedly stopped some distance away from the lodge and staff allowed entry only after identification checks.
Federation of Nepali Journalists Kaski President Madhav Baral objected to the alleged deletion of the footage, saying that forcing a journalist to erase material collected while reporting on a public office-holder amounted to interference with press freedom.
The Federation has maintained that while the Prime Minister’s security requirements are important, security arrangements should not be used to control or erase journalistic material gathered in the course of legitimate reporting.
The District Administration Office in Kaski said it had not yet received full details of the incident. Assistant Chief District Officer and spokesperson Chitrangat Baral said the administration had not imposed any restriction on journalists filming public figures from public places.
The Prime Minister’s Office had described Shah’s Mustang trip as a private visit. However, even during a private journey, the Prime Minister remains a public office-holder and the country’s chief executive. The incident has therefore renewed debate over how to balance legitimate security concerns with the media’s right to gather news.
A clearer picture of the incident is expected once the Nepal Army issues an official explanation of the circumstances and the basis on which the footage was allegedly deleted.
