Nepal bans Indian News Channels accusing them of “exaggerated and uncontrolled propaganda”. Nepal’s Cable TV operators stopped telecasting Indian news channels this Thursday. This move was taken over the Indian media’s coverage of the Chinese ambassador’s meeting with Nepal’s senior leaders.
ANI quoted a cable operator Dhruba Sharma who, on Thursday, said that they had turned off the signals of Indian channels from that evening itself. Amongst the operators banning Indian news channels are Dishmore, Mega Max, DSN and MyTV. However, Doordarshan is an exception to this move.
It is important to note that there has not been any official order from the government of Nepal regarding the same.
“Baseless propaganda by Indian media against the Nepal government and our PM should stop”, said Narayan Kaji Shreshtha, the Deputy Prime Minister and the spokesperson of the ruling Nepal Communist Party. He also emphasized on the news telecasted by these channels on this issue as “non-sense” and urged that it should stop.
The vice president of Mega Max TV, Dhruv Sharma, accused the Indian news channels for resorting to “exaggerated and uncontrolled propaganda” about Nepal. He also mentioned the objectionable reports being disseminated to the public which referred to PM Oli and Chinese envoy Hou Yanqi, as reported by Hindustan Times.
The minister of Communication and Information Technology, Yubaraj Khatuwada told the media that they do hesitate from interfering in the affairs of the media whether domestic or international. However, it is important that the channels are regulated if they deliver offensive reportage. “Nepal will sek political and legal remedies against such channels”, he further added.
The HIndu reports that a complaint was filed to the Ministry of External Affairs by Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Nilambar Acharya. The complaint was regarding the offensive nature of the coverage of Nepal’s leadership.
Hindustan Times also reports that the Nepalese leadership was offended by a number of things but especially the derogatory remark on the meeting of PM Oli and the Chinese envoy. The remark quoted that the PM of Nepal could be “honey trapped” by the ambassador.
This alleged ban has been implemented without the official orders of the government. Moreover, Doordarshan would still be active in the country and has not come under this ban by TV Cable operators.