KATHMANDU: Nepal Police have arrested two persons on the charge of making unfounded statements and character assassination through YouTube channel.
The cyber bureau of Nepal Police has arrested Hari Pariyar of Nagarjuna Municipality-8, Bhimdhunga and Nishan Chiluwal, 27, of, Rainas Municipality, of Lamjung and currently living in Tarkeshwor Sheshmati for spreading fake news through YouTube.
Bureau spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police Navind Aryal said that Pariyar and Chiluwal had spread fake news through their respective YouTube channel ‘Nepal Media’ and ‘Bishal Nepal’.
They have been charged of doing so with the purpose of influencing the ongoing crime investigation over a serious case. Spokesperson Aryal said that they were arrested for committing a crime under the Electronic Transaction Act, 2063 BS.
According to the bureau, the two have been remanded to judicial custody for seven days following permission by the district court.
With growing concern on activities of YouTubers, a section of Nepali society has condemned and sought punishment. The YouTubers have tried to infringe the privacy of the people and inciting violence.
The government of Nepal has recently introduced and amended laws, which force all the internet TV to be registered in Nepal, including platforms like OTT. However, the new initiative have been criticised from the civil society advocating free speech.
Communications related laws brought to regulate media: Minister Karki
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, has clarified that law related to communications was introduced to regulate media, not to bring it under control and to curtail press freedom and right to expression.
Receiving the memorandum submitted by the Federation of Nepali Journalists on media related laws on journalism sector today, Minister Karki opined that the government was committed to press freedom and rule of law. He gave assurances that the government would move ahead by holding discussion with stakeholders for press freedom and development of journalism.
Similarly, FNJ President, Bipul Pokharel, said that National Broadcasting Regulations (11th amendment)-2078 has created some confusion, adding it was necessary to make it further clear.
Stating that different laws brought by erstwhile government without participation of stakeholders have provisions of anti-press freedom, he urged to correct it.
The FNJ also demanded the government to take initiative to release journalist Umakanta Pandey arrested in the UAE. Press Council Nepal member Thakur Belbase said that discussion was underway with stakeholders regarding regulating new media.
