Media Action Nepal demands immediate action against Mayor Sampang for threatening journalist
In a Facebook post, Sampang threatened to end journalist Dahal’s investigative journalism career
KATHMANDU/ December 4: Media Action Nepal has called for immediate action against Harka Sampang, Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolis, for threatening journalist Gopal Dahal. The threats came after Dahal published an investigative report on the mayor through Himalkhabar.com and the Centre for Investigative Journalism.
Speaking to Media Action Nepal, senior journalist Gopal Dahal, with over 20 years of experience in journalism, revealed that he recently published an investigative report on Mayor Sampang in Himalkhabar.com on November 29.
“So far, the only threat I have received is Mayor Harka Sampang’s Facebook post, where he explicitly mentioned my name and vowed to end my journalism career,” said Gopal Dahal. The post, which Dahal described as threatening, directly targets him and references his association with the Centre for Investigative Journalism.
“Gopal Dahal, or any representative of the Centre for Investigative Journalism, must appear at the Green Tea in Dharan-18 tomorrow at 10 a.m. If I do not end your investigative journalism career, my name is not Harka Sampang! Mind it, you thief!” reads Sampang’s Facebook status posted today i.e. December 4.
“In a democracy, those in positions of power must respect press freedom and be held accountable for their actions,” said Laxman Datt Pant, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal.
“If one cannot tolerate criticism, they must refrain from resorting to threats. We demand immediate action against Harka Sampang by the relevant authorities for his deliberate violation of fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the constitution,” Pant added.
The featured image of Journalist Dahal is courtesy of Dahal’s Facebook page.
