State Minister for Information and Communication Shrish Sushmer Rana has said that the government has no intention of curtailing the press freedom guaranteed by the constitution through promulgation of media ordinaces laws.

During an interaction with the members of the international media mission in Kathmandu on Thursday, Rana stated that the new laws would make the journalism profession more professional, privileged and responsible towards protecting right to information of the Nepali people.

He told the visiting international media experts that there was complete press freedom in the country at present.

Rana also said that the government permitted the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) to run FM radio stations to curb the increasing terrorist activities in the country. “This will not be misused,” he said.

In another statement, the government spokesperson said that the government was prepared to provide security from Maoist attacks to the government and private media bodies .

The organizations participating in the international mission include Article 19, Free Voice, International Federation of Journalists, South Asia Press Commission, International Media Support, Rory Peck Trust, IFEX and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), among others.

The latest visit is the continuation of the international advocacy mission that visited Nepal in July last year.