Local government heads, interest groups target journalists

106 Views

KATHMANDU | June 29: Media Action Nepal condemns the growing number of attacks and interference against journalists.  The incidents documented below including physical assaults, threats, equipment damage, confiscation of journalistic materials, and pressure to reveal confidential news sources represent serious violations of press freedom mainly from various individuals, heads of local governments and interest groups:

  • May 14/ Kathmandu: While covering a public event in Kathmandu, Dinesh Thapa, Editor of Gandakilive.com, was physically assaulted and injured by Saroj Moktan.
  • May 17/ Bajura: During news coverage of an incident related to a border dispute in Ranisain, several individuals vandalized journalists’ equipment, looted their devices, and threatened them with physical violence. Journalist Umesh Bahadur Shahi’s drone camera was seized and destroyed. Journalists Janak Bohara, Anil Shahi, and Jeet Jung Kattel were held incommunicado for three days and were forced to delete the video footage they had recorded. They re-established contact on May 20.
  • May 21/ Sarlahi: Bakhtiyar Ali, a journalist working for Loktantrakhabar.com, was verbally abused and threatened over the phone by Dr. Guneshwar Jha, operator of Susti Somya Health Care in Malangwa, over a published news report. According to Hadis Khuddar, Province Coordinator of Media Action Nepal, Ali was also subjected to character assassination through Sarlahi Media House and the Daily News Update Facebook pages, and received death threats.
  • May 26/Surkhet: Chintamani Kandel, Editor of Darshankhabar.com was assaulted by contractor Suraj Thapa after questioning the construction of a road that allegedly violated municipal standards. Media Action Nepal’s Karnali Coordinator Lalit Budha informed that Kandel’s left eardrum was broken due to attack.
  • May 31/Mahottari: While covering a protest in Gaushala, journalist Narendra Mahato of GE Khabar was abused by several individuals, who also looted his communication equipment, Media Action Nepal’s Madhesh Coordinator Hadis Khuddar reported.
  • June 7/ Kathmandu: At around 9:00 p.m., a group of individuals assaulted Kamal Bohora, Editor of Palikasamaya.com, over a news story concerning alleged irregularities. Bohora sustained injuries to his face, hands, and legs.
  • June 11/Baglung: Khemraj Gautam ‘Suwas’, Editor of Adarshasamachar.com, received threatening phone calls and messages from Raju Thapa, Chairperson of Kathekhola Rural Municipality, over a published news report.
  • June 14/Tanahun: Journalist Binod Dhungana was insulted and misbehaved by Krishna Raj Pundit, Mayor of Shuklagandaki Municipality and others after asking questions regarding a public statement made by the mayor at the Belchautara marketplace.
  • June 18/Dhankuta: Gopal Baraili, a journalist with DhankutaFM.com, was threatened and verbally abused through social media by Parshu Karki of Andhrung, Mahalaxmi Municipality–7, over a published news report.
  • June 20/Saptari: Devaram Yadav, a journalist with Gorkhapatra Daily, was assaulted by Surendra Yadav and others in Mahadeva Rural Municipality. He was hit with a helmet and beaten over a news report.
  • June 25/Achham: Dhanraj Saud, a journalist with Paschim Raibar, was summoned to the office of Tek Bahadur Saud, Chairperson of Bannigadhi Jayagadh Rural Municipality, where he was pressured and threatened to disclose the source of his news story.

Media Action Nepal urges the Government of Nepal and the law enforcement agencies, to conduct prompt investigations into these incidents, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure the safety of journalists.

Media Action Nepal urges the Government of Nepal and the law enforcement agencies, to conduct prompt investigations into these incidents, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure the safety of journalists.