FNJ asks to amend Civil and Criminal Codes

Kathmandu : The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has said that some provisions of the Civil Code and Criminal Code should be amended and reformed since some of the points there could affect the freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
A meeting of the editors, former chairpersons of FNJ and office bearers of the FNJ held in Godabari on Saturday has issued the Godabari Declaration, demanding amendments to the Civil Codes and Criminal Codes since the provisions on crimes against the state, crime against the public peace, defamation, secrecy and the likes could challenge the freedom of expression and freedom of press, according to FNJ’s General Secretary Ramesh Bista.
Terming the criminalization of issue of defamation, individual privacy and publications condemnable, the meeting has demanded to immediately correct the provision in the Criminal Code, Bista added.
The FNJ has argued that bill on individual secrecy registered in the federal parliament is deemed at keeping the information and notices of the public figures and bodies secret in the name of secrecy instead of strengthening the privacy of the citizens. Through the declaration paper, the FNJ has drawn attention of the entire parliamentarians and political parties for their efforts to amend and reform the bill.