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Media Alliance Nepal has expressed serious concern over the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s move of seeking clarification vis-a-vis the news published in Annapurna Post daily under the Annapurna Media Network (AMN) over air service disruptions in far-flung regions of the country.

Issuing a press statement, the alliance said the clarification CAAN has sought from AMN Chair Capt Rameshwor Thapa on the charge of ‘abusing publication rights’ is a direct violation of the freedom of the press and the freedom of thought and expression as well as a violation of editorial freedom.

Unconstitutional interference with independent media is unacceptable, it said, condemning CAAN and its leader’s illegal action against the media advocating for the rule of law and the Constitution.

There is a separate legal provision to seek redress for the media content published/broadcasted, it pointed out. An unrelated agency is demanding clarification over a matter beyond its jurisdiction from an unrelated individual, it said, adding, “This is a case of abuse of authority.”

The Media Alliance cautioned CAAN leadership against the abuse of authority and urged it to withdraw the clarification and respect the freedom of the press and freedom of thought and expression enshrined in the Constitution. Earlier, the Press Council Nepal wrote to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation over CAAN’s act of seeking a written clarification from AMN regarding news reports published in the daily.

CAAN introduced a policy to suspend air services in remote districts after 12 pm starting July 31. This decision affected remote and mountainous regions of Nepal where flights offer a lifeline for people needing urgent medical attention.  
Regrettably, due to the absence of air services, four children lost their lives in remote regions of Karnali province as they couldn’t receive timely medical care due to CAAN’s new policy.

After Annapurna Post, a sister publication of ApEx, highlighted the hardships facing people living in far-flung areas, the issue garnered considerable attention.

Despite appeals from the Chief Minister of Karnali province, the federal Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, political leaders and local representatives, CAAN chose not to lift air service restrictions. Instead, it targeted the media for exposing what was perceived as a misguided and callous decision.

The monsoon rain is expected to persist over the next two to three days.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, it will take a couple of days for weather to improve.

Division's senior meteorologist Barun Poudel said the ongoing precipitation is anticipated to continue until Friday with chances of heavy rains at one or two places, particularly in Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces.

The weather will be generally to mostly cloudy throughout the country today with the possibility of light to moderate rain at some places of the country.

Likewise, heavy rain with thunder and lightning is expected at one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki , Lumbini and Sudurpashchim Provinces.

Likewise, tonight there will be mostly cloudy throughout the country while light to moderate rain is likely to occur at many places of the country.

Heavy rain with thunder and lightning may take place at one or two places of Koshi, Madesh , Bagmati , Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces.

Seven persons including a Nepali national died when a bus carrying Indian pilgrims met with an accident in Churiyamai, Bara on Thursday.

Police identified the decased as Bijay Lal Pundit (41) of Loharpatti, Mahottari, Nepal, Bahadur Singh (67), Mira Devi Singh (65), Satyawati Singh (60), Rajendra Chaturvedi (70), Shreekant Chaturvedi (65) and Baijanti Devi (67) of Rajasthan, India.

The bus (Madhes Pradesh 3001 Kha 7994) was heading towards Janakpur from Kathmandu when the tragedy occurred in front of Churiyamai at around 2 am today.  

Among the 26 persons traveling in the bus, three died on the spot and three breathed their last during the course of treatment, police spokesperson Dadhiram Neupane said.

The injured are undergoing treatment in various hospitals of Hetauda, Makwanpur, he said.

Police suspect that the accident was caused due to overspeeding.

The District Police Office, Bara said that investigation into the incident is underway.

Police said that they have impounded the bus and arrested its driver for investigation.

The Press Council Nepal has written to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation over the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s act of seeking a written clarification from Annapurna Media Network (AMN) regarding news reports published in Annapurna Post daily. 

The letter argues that CAAN’s move contradicts the principles of press freedom. The meeting of the Code of Conduct Monitoring subcommittee of the council held on Aug 22 has urged the ministry to take necessary action against CAAN for the protection of press freedom, reads the letter.

Editorial freedom within the media pertains to the independence of publishers in making decisions devoid of external interference. This encompasses the autonomy of editors to determine content and coverage. The letter underlines that seeking explanations from the publisher while intertwining their other business activities and neglecting proper legal procedures amounts to an assault on editorial freedom. The Press Council Nepal has expressed serious concern over this matter.

The letter asserts that checking the authenticity of news falls under the jurisdiction of Press Council Nepal, not CAAN. The sub-committee’s meeting decided to delve into this matter further by consulting former chairs of the council and former presidents of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ).

Nepal’s challenging geographical isolation poses significant difficulties in accessing healthcare and delivering sustenance. Air services become indispensable for these essential needs. However, CAAN introduced a policy to suspend air services in remote districts after 12 pm starting July 31. This decision had severe repercussions in remote and mountainous regions of Nepal. Regrettably, due to the absence of air services, four children lost their lives in the remote areas of Karnali province as they couldn’t receive timely medical care due to CAAN's new policy.

After Annapurna Post, a sister publication of ApEx, highlighted the hardships facing people living in far-flung areas, the issue garnered considerable attention. Various media outlets, including BBC, Kantipur, and Radio Nepal, also covered similar stories, underscoring the urgency of government intervention to restore essential air services in remote regions of the country.

Despite appeals from the Chief Minister of Karnali province, the federal Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, political leaders and local representatives, CAAN chose not to lift air service restrictions. Instead, it targeted the media for exposing what was perceived as a misguided and callous decision.

In its letter, CAAN has accused AMN of ‘repeatedly disseminating news, analyses, and commentaries that severely jeopardize flight safety’. The letter further highlights that despite Capt Rameshwar Thapa’s position as the head of an airline company responsible for ensuring flight safety, he appears to have misused his publishing authority through his media, engaging in activities that spread misinformation and rumors.

Earlier, the FNJ and other press unions such as Nepal Press Union, Press Chautari Nepal, Socialist Press Organization Nepal, Forum of Nepalese Journalist and Madhesi Journalist Society Nepal warned CAAN to immediately withdraw its letter seeking clarification from AMN as the move is beyond its jurisdiction.