Media Action Nepal condemns death threat against journalist Shakya
KATHMANDU | September 21 : Media Action Nepal has brought attention to the incident in which Mahesh Basnet, the leader of the CPN-UML, and his associates threatened and intimidated journalist Tekman Shakya. It has been verified that Shakya, the editor of NepaleseTimes.com, received threats in relation to the news he published. Media Action Nepal denounces the incident.
CPN-UML leader Basnet threatened Tekman Shakya on Friday (September 19) morning. He can be heard in the audio challenging Shakya for his security, saying that he too should be allowed to give an interview. They seem to be preparing to physically attack him by calling him on the pretext of an interview.
Another unidentified individual made a death threat against Shakya in the name of Mahesh Basnet a few hours after the first one. Using the phone number 9841075376, Shakya received a death threat claiming to be Mahesh Basnet’s man and stating that 20–22 people had been sent to kill him. He refused to reveal his identity when journalist Shakya asked.
If there are issues with the published news, Media Action Nepal cautions to voice their opinions in a lawful manner and to refrain from threatening journalists in order to violate press freedom. Media Action Nepal calls on authorities to prosecute those responsible for intimidating journalists and undermining press freedom.