Nepal will not allow foreign TV channels that indulge in the character assassination of its leaders and will seek legal remedies against such news outlets, a senior Minister of the government of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli said on Thursday evening.

The announcement was accompanied by simultaneous blacking out of all Indian news channels, barring Doordarshan, across Nepal.

“We do not want to interfere in affairs of the media. Not just foreign but even domestic TV channels will be regulated if they are found to be airing offensive content or are indulging in character assassination [of Nepalese citizens and leaders] and are found to be disrespectful of Nepal’s sovereignty. Nepal will also seek political and legal remedies against such channels,” said Minister of Communication and Information Technology Yubaraj Khatiwada, in response to a question regarding certain Indian channels airing objectionable content on Prime Minister Oli and the Chinese Ambassador to Kathmandu Hou Yanqi.

Apart from Mr. Khatiwada, several prominent Nepalese leaders also condemned Indian media outlets.

Though major Indian news channels have been stopped from being aired in Nepal, the final policy is yet to become clear as more official statements are expected.

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