NEW DELHI: India on Thursday expressed the hope that the new anti-press ordinance promulgated by King Gyanendra in Nepal would not be used to curb media freedom. "We have always believed that a free and independent press is necessary for the people to enjoy their fundamental rights and democratic freedoms,'' the External Affairs Ministry said here.
"Curbs on the freedom of expression and the media, which is a fundamental pillar of democracy, will inevitably be counter-productive," the Ministry said on the basis of press reports of what is proposed to be done under the ordinance.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the restrictive media law implemented on October 9.
