Kathmandu, April 1
A day after Press Council Nepal sought a clarification for telecasting an interview with CK Raut, ABC Television issued a press release defending its act. In its press release, the TV channel said: As far as we know, the state has not declared CK Raut a terrorist.
And if the state considers Raut a terrorist, why is it letting him move around freely? Neither Raut is on Nepal Police’s most wanted list, nor Interpol has issued a red corner notice against him.
And the Supreme Court, the sole interpreter of the constitution, has neither ordered his arrest nor sentenced him to prison. Nonetheless, the channel made it clear that Raut’s expressions contradict its editorial policy and the channel does not agree with Raut.
The channel noted that it has been receiving reactions after the interview with Raut was telecast on Wednesday. The channel said it is committed to the country, nationality and the people, adding: As the first news channel of the republic of Nepal, we have been telecasting news focusing on the interests and concerns of the public.
It’s our responsibility to take interest in matters of public interest, it said, adding that it respects reactions coming from the public following the interview. The channel clarified that none of Raut’s expressions are in tandem with the channel’s editorial policy. It is the people, who should interpret and analyse Raut’s expressions, the channel said, adding: Raut’s expressions do not represent ABC’s stand.
Conversations taking place during live interviews are not subject to censor, it said, pointing that the interviewer had objected to Raut’s expressions during the interview.
