Date: Auguts 14, 2026

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has expressed serious concern over the incident in which police entered the office of Jan Aastha Weekly and confiscated computers, mobile phones, and other communication equipment.

Article 19(2) of the Constitution of Nepal stipulates that no media outlet shall be closed, seized, or have its registration cancelled, nor shall any publication or broadcast material be confiscated, solely on the grounds that it has published or broadcast any news, article, editorial, creative work, information, or other material. The entry of armed police into the editorial room and the seizure and control of communication equipment and materials, in direct violation of this constitutional provision, constitutes, at first sight, a serious interference with the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press and the right to communication.

The government’s approach of attempting to gain access to news sources in this manner is unconstitutional and unlawful. The FNJ believes that such action directly affects press freedom as a whole as well as citizens’ right to information. The FNJ strongly condemns and denounces the infringement of constitutional rights by the state.

Therefore, the FNJ strongly demands that the communication equipment and materials taken into custody with the intention of confiscation be returned immediately and that the Constitution be fully respected. It also calls on the state to ensure complete confidentiality of news sources and editorial materials.

In this regard, a delegation led by FNJ President Nirmala Sharma inspected the Jan Aastha office on Friday and gathered information about the materials taken into custody and the impact of the incident on its publication.

The FNJ urges all citizens and communities committed to freedom to stand against the misuse of state mechanisms to restrict journalists’ access to information.

Ram Prasad Dahal
General Secretary