Journalists protest arrest of editor Kishor Shrestha in Nepal

Journalists in Nepal have staged protests following the arrest of Kishor Shrestha, editor of Jan Aastha Weekly and chairman of Aastha Media. Shrestha was taken from his residence in Lalitpur on Wednesday evening and is being held at the Kathmandu Police Range in connection with a news report published by his weekly.

Media organizations, including the Federation of Nepali Journalists and Press Chautari Nepal, have demanded his immediate release. Protesters argued that detaining an editor over published content constitutes interference with press freedom and constitutional rights. They stated that disputes regarding news reports should be handled through legal and press-related mechanisms rather than through arrest and detention.

Shrestha, a veteran journalist with four decades of experience, has a history of investigative reporting on political and administrative irregularities. His arrest has renewed public debate regarding journalist safety and the freedom of the press in the country.