Kathmandu – Press Council Nepal has urged media organizations to remain fully impartial and responsible during the election period.
The Council, which has been regularly monitoring mass media across the country, recalled that, as in the past, it is conducting special monitoring during the House of Representatives Election 2082 to ensure compliance with the Journalists’ Code of Conduct and the Election Code of Conduct.
The Council expressed serious concern over recent instances where certain media outlets have disseminated content—such as “election analysis,” “special reports,” and “surveys”—that resemble opinion polls and explicitly mention political parties and candidates in ways that could influence voters.
It noted that news content suggesting outcomes such as “this candidate will win,” “this candidate is far ahead,” “gaining momentum,” “no wave,” or “in the danger zone” may affect public sentiment and mislead voters.
According to the Council, such materials could adversely impact free and fair elections, and content found to be in violation of the code of conduct has been taken under notice.
Council Assistant Spokesperson Ram Sharan Bohara stated that, while upholding press freedom, media content should not be disseminated in a way that benefits or harms any party. He emphasized that journalists and media outlets, as part of a vital profession, must remain neutral, disciplined, responsible, and accountable during this important historical period.
The Council further highlighted that the media sector plays a crucial role, alongside various state bodies, in ensuring successful elections. It has therefore urged all media outlets to disseminate content in a healthy, fair, independent, dignified, impartial, and balanced manner within the framework of the code of conduct.
The Council also called for respect for voters’ judgment, freedom, and the secrecy of the ballot, and cautioned against publishing or broadcasting content that could influence voters or undermine free and fair elections.
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