Media Action Nepal deplores death threats to journalist Bhul
KATHMANDU | October 29: Media Action Nepal condemns the continuous death threats made against Nepalpress.com reporter Keshab Bhul through multiple anonymous phone calls and social media posts. Bhul received threatening phone calls from three different unknown numbers on October 27, 28, and 29, each using abusive language and warning him to “be aware” or face death.
These threats emerged after Bhul published an article on Nepalpress.com at 7 PM on October 27, related to Netra Bikram Chand (Biplab), the leader of Nepal Communist Party (Biplab). Following the publication, Bharat C, a senior leader of the party issued online threats, using obscene language and explicitly saying he would kill the journalist.
Soon after, nearly 20 threatening social media posts were made by individuals affiliated with the same political group, further terrorizing the journalist. The posts contained abusive remarks, incitement to locate Bhul’s whereabouts, and public calls for violence against him.
Soon after, nearly 20 threatening social media posts were made by individuals affiliated with the same political group, further terrorizing the journalist. The posts contained abusive remarks, incitement to locate Bhul’s whereabouts, and public calls for violence against him.
“He accused me of being an MCC broker over my story and threatened to kill me. This is the third such incident I have faced from different interest groups since I began my journalism career,” Bhul told Media Action Nepal. While I am not afraid, I urge the government to immediately identify and punish the perpetrators, he added.
Terming the incident a grave attack on press freedom and journalist safety, Laxman Datt Pant, Founding Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, said, “Threatening a journalist with death merely for performing their professional duty is an outrageous violation of press freedom. Such brutal acts cannot be tolerated.” The authorities must ensure Bhul’s safety and bring those responsible, both individuals and organizations, swiftly to justice, Pant added.
The authorities must ensure Bhul’s safety and bring those responsible, both individuals and organizations, swiftly to justice, Pant added.
Media Action Nepal calls on authorities to take immediate action to protect journalist Bhul, to ensue that impunity for threats and attacks against journalists will not be accepted.