14th August, 2018 Kathmandu – Despite tremendous criticism in Media against current government’s policy and behavior, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that his government is committed to democracy, press freedom and human rights.

In his meeting with the newly elected working committee of Nepal Media Society on Sunday, the prime minister said that his government believed in the sanctity democracy, press freedom and human rights, no matter what some media had been saying about his administration.

Prime Minister Oli expressed his displeasure before the society delegation over some media who had been critical of his government for declaring Maitighar Mandala of Kathmandu a protest-free zone.

“Some media are trying to portray the government as anti-civilian by over-exaggerating the issue. Do you think Maitighar Mandala is a proper place for protest assemblies and rallies?” the prime minister asked the society representatives.

Claiming that the ruling Nepal Communist Party was the torch-bearer of democracy, the prime minister said it was unconscionable to even think that the government is acting against the spirit of democracy.

“Media has a great role in keeping the government accountable and informing the people. The things published today should hold true even after 10 years down the line. But some media seem to have forgotten their responsibility,” he blamed.

The prime minister wished for a successful tenure of the newly elected committee of the society under the leadership of Shubha Shankar Kandel.

Outgoing chairman of the society and Chairman and Managing Director of Kantipur Media Group, Kailash Sirohiya, among other former members, were present at the meeting.

Even in the past when there were censorship to the media, journalist and journals were freely allowed to report on various occasion but current government had stopped some events to cover in Media in recent days. Social media and online portals are aggressively posting critics against current government.