KATHMANDU, June 13 -- Media Action Nepal (MAN) has strongly condemned what it called a growing pattern of intimidation against Nepal's independent press, highlighting a recent incident in which Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba threatened Nepal Republic Media (NRM) Director Shova Gyawali over a news coverage.

Speaking to Media Action Nepal, Gyawali disclosed that Minister Rana issued direct threats during a phone call made via the WhatsApp account of her personal secretary, Kamal Rawal, at approximately 1:50 PM on June 12. The call reportedly came in response to a news article published in Republica and Nagarik, both of which are run under the umbrella of NRM.

"In the four-minute call, Minister Rana repeatedly issued threats, vowing ...