CAAN move condemnable

In a democracy, the free press is the fourth estate. It is the duty of the media to disseminate right information to the public and that is what media houses do in democratic countries. Individuals and organizations dissatisfied with media reports can move authorities like the press council and courts if they think that information disseminated thus is misleading. But it is wrong on the part of an unauthorized individual or institution to seek clarification from a media house or its publisher over a news report.

It is illegal on the part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to write directly to Chair of Annapurna Media Network, Capt Rameshwor Thapa, seeking a clarification from him. If CAAN has objections over a news report, it can move Press Council Nepal or the court. It is deplorable on the part of CAAN to demand a direct clarification from the publisher.   

The author is a former information and communications minister and leader of Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepal