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The Interim Government on Friday firmly dismissed, what it said, Newspapers Owners' Association (NOAB) allegation that it has undermined media freedom, asserting that the incumbent government has maintained an unprecedented hands-off approach towards media operations during its tenure.
The NOAB had issued a statement on the current developments inside the Daily Janakantha on Thursday.
The Chief Adviser's Press Wing, in a counter statement, said the accusations made by NOAB were "misplaced" and "misinformed."
It emphasised that the administration has not interfered in the editorial, operational, or commercial activities of any media outlet since taking office, despite enduring sustained criticism from some quarters of the press.
"We have neither censored nor retaliated, even when talk shows and columns have featured false and incendiary claims. Some media previously shut down under the past regime have been allowed to return, which underscores our commitment to freedom of speech," the statement said.
Contrary to NOAB's claims of restricted access to information, the government clarified that journalists have enjoyed "unfettered access" to officials, including advisers and special assistants to the Chief Adviser. "No journalist has been denied interviews or briefings based on their editorial line," it added.
Addressing criticism of the reformed accreditation process, the government explained that the previous system had been compromised, with access passes ending up in the hands of non-journalists-including lobbyists and politically affiliated
individuals. In response, the Interim Government introduced a temporary pass system aimed at restoring credibility to Secretariat access.
"The former policy not only enabled abuse but contained clauses that violated the constitutional rights of journalists. We have removed those and are now issuing accreditation cards with an extended renewal period."
The government also rejected suggestions that it had influenced recent terminations of journalists, stating that job losses were the result of "editorial and corporate realignment decisions" made independently by media houses.
"These decisions reflect internal business and political calculations of media owners, not any directive from the government."
While reiterating its commitment to journalist safety, the government stressed that this responsibility is a shared one-between the state and media organizations. It highlighted the Media Reform Commission's earlier proposal for a Journalists' Protection Law, aimed at creating legal safeguards and reducing self-censorship. The law is currently under active consideration.
In a significant counterpoint, the government urged NOAB to look inward and hold its member organizations accountable for the exploitation and abuse of journalists.
"Issues like wage exploitation, lack of labor rights, and unsafe working conditions are rampant within the industry. These are matters NOAB should confront directly before blaming external forces."
The statement concluded by reaffirming the Interim Government's broader vision:
"Freedom of expression is not just a slogan; it is a principle we live by. We remain committed to transparency, safety, and press freedom, and invite all stakeholders to collaborate in preserving these values."
"Blanket accusations based on a flawed interpretation of events distract from the real challenges facing our media landscape," the statement read.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com