Interim Constitutiona 2007 and press freedom in Nepal

12. Right to Freedom: (1) Every person shall have the right to live with dignity, and no law shall be made which provides for capital punishment. (2) No person shall be deprived of his/her personal liberty saves in accordance with law. (3) Every citizen shall have the following freedoms: (a) Freedom of opinion and expression; (b) Freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms; (c) Freedom to form political party or organizations; (d) Freedom to form unions and associations; (e) Freedom to move and reside in any part of Nepal; and (f) Freedom to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, industry, or trade.

Provided that,

(1) Nothing in sub-clause (a) shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty and integrity of Nepal, or which may jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes, religion or communities, or on any act of defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence; or on any act which may be contrary to decent public behavior or morality.

(2) Nothing in sub-clause (b) shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty, integrity or law and order situation of Nepal.

(3) Nothing in sub-clauses (c) and (d) shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty and integrity of Nepal, which may jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes religion or communities, which may instigate violence, or which may be contrary to public morality.

(4) Nothing in sub-clause (e) shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws which are in the interest of the general public, or which are made to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes, religion or communities.

(5) Nothing in sub-clause (f) shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws to impose restriction on any act which may be contrary to public health or morality, to confer on the

State the exclusive right to undertake specific industries, businesses or services; or to impose any condition or qualification for carrying on any industry, trade, profession or occupation.

15. Right Regarding Publication, Broadcasting and Press: (1) No publication and broadcasting or printing of any news items, editorial, article, writings or other readings, audio-visual materials, by any means including electronic publication, broadcasting and press, shall be censored. Provided that nothing shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty or integrity of Nepal, or which may jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes or communities; or on any act of sedition, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence; or on any act which may be contrary to decent public behavior or morality.

(2) No radio, television, online or any other types of digital or electronic means, press or any other communication media shall be closed, seized or be cancelled the registration because of publishing and broadcasting or printing any material by such means of audio, audio-visual or electronic equipments.

(3) No newspaper, periodical or press shall be closed, seized or be cancelled the registration for printing and publishing any news items, articles, editorial, writings or other reading materials.

(4) No communication means including press, electronic broadcasting and telephone shall be obstructed except in accordance with law.

27. Right to Information: (1) Every citizen shall have the right to demand or obtain information on any matters of his/her own or of public importance. Provided that nothing shall compel any person to provide information on any matter about which secrecy is to be maintained by law.

28. Right to Privacy: (1) Except on the circumstance as provided by law, the privacy of the person, residence, property, document, statistics, correspondence and character of anyone is inviolable.