Media Action Nepal slams growing attacks against journalists
KATHMANDU| April 26: Media Action Nepal condemns the recent attacks and legal harassment against journalists across the country.
On April 25, photojournalist Kamal Prasai of Onlinekhabar.com was physically attacked by the local residents while reporting on the demolition of informal settlements along the Manohara riverbank in Kathmandu. Prasai sustained injuries to his nose, whereas the memory card of his camera was forcibly seized. He is undergoing treatment at the National Trauma Center in Kathmandu.
Similarly on April 23, journalist Ajay Kumar Sah of Ratopati.com was abused and threatened in Bardibas of Mahottari district in Madhesh province by Bhojprasad Phuyal (Shankar), Treasurer of the Bardibas Drinking Water and Sanitation Users Committee (BDWSUC). Phuyal issued death threats against the Sah over dissatisfaction with a news report titled ‘BDWSUC dispute exposed.’
In a separate case on April 17, journalist Basudev Dhami (Bimal) of Kanchanpur district in Sudurpashchim province has been subjected to legal action for reporting on governance issues. Following a complaint by Shanti Nath, Vice-Chair of Beldandi Rural Municipality, the District Police Office, Kanchanpur registered a case under the Electronic Transaction Act (ETA) and issued an arrest warrant against him. This represents a troubling misuse of legal provisions to criminalize journalistic work.
Media Action Nepal expresses deep concern over these incidents. Physical attacks, intimidation and the misuse of laws such as the ETA to target journalists undermine constitutional guarantees of press freedom. We call on the authorities to carry impartial investigations into all incidents and hold perpetrators accountable.
Physical attacks, intimidation and the misuse of laws such as the ETA to target journalists undermine constitutional guarantees of press freedom.