India has expressed concern over additional curbs on media in Nepal imposed through an ordinance issued by His Majesty King Gyanendra early this week.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in a statement Friday quoted spokesperson of the Ministry of the External Affairs of India, Navtej Serna, as saying – in response to a media query at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday – that curbs on the freedom of expression and media will “inevitably be counter-productive”.

“Though we have not yet seen the text of the Ordinance, we understand from media reports that several additional restrictions have been imposed on the media. We have always believed that a free and independent press is necessary for the people to enjoy their fundamental rights and democratic freedoms,” Serna said adding, “Curbs on the freedom of expression and media, which is a fundamental pillar of democracy, will inevitably be counter-productive.”

“We hope that the Ordinance would not be used to curb the freedom of expression and of the press in Nepal.”

His Majesty King had at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers promulgated the media ordinance on Sunday.

The ordinance issued to amend Press and Publication Act (2048 B.S), Radio Act (2014), National Broadcasting Act (2048) and Defamation Act (2016 B.S) has incorporated tighter provisions concerning the publication and broadcast materials, ownership and penalty for defamation.

Several national and international media rights groups including the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have already denounced the new curbs on the media in strongest terms.