Stop harassment, misuse of ETA against journalists
KATHMANDU | April 30: Media Action Nepal condemns the police obstruction and harassment of journalists Monika Waiba and Daya Dudraj at the Kirtipur holding center; and denounces the actions of authorities, in torturing journalist Basudev Dhami (Bimal) by issuing an arrest warrant against him using the Electronic Transaction Act (ETA) solely for writing news.
On April 29 around 11:30 am, several journalists had gone to Kirtipur to report on relocated people from squatters living in the Kirtipur holding center. Security personnel from the Nepal Police and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police present at the scene prevented journalists from taking photographs.
“We were forcibly asked to delete photos,” Ukeraa journalist Monika Waiba told Media Action Nepal. “When we went to cover a story about squatters, not only were photos and videos prohibited but also journalists. We were asked to bring orders from above and letters from the metropolis and not allow journalists to enter.” We were under surveillance, I noticed the police sitting behind me, controlling me, she added.
Daya Dudhraj, a Kantipur reporter, also reported that police forcibly deleted photos and videos. “Kathmandu Metropolitan Police grabbed my arms and forced me to leave the reporting site. “They also took my phone and deleted the photos and videos I had recorded for reporting,” Daya told Media Action Nepal. “They even deleted it from the recycle bin.”
They also took my phone and deleted the photos and videos I had recorded for reporting.
Arrest warrant against journalist
In a separate incident, journalist Basudev Dhami (Bimal), publisher of Paschim Samachar in Sudurpaschim province, has been facing harassment and threat of arrest from police for over two weeks now. “Police attempted to arrest me on April 17 after Shanti Nath filed a case for simply writing news,” he told Media Action Nepal. Frightened of goons and arbitrary arrest Dhami has been mentally harassed and is in need of legal assistance and physical support.
Frightened of goons and arbitrary arrest Dhami has been mentally harassed and is in need of legal assistance and physical support.
He further shared that he has been exposing the corruption of local authorities for years, due to which, “I have been targeted by goons. I have not been able to use my laptop and phones,” he said. “I have shared news links on my social media handles based on comments on my news; they have filed a case against me in collusion with the police and district attorney’s office.”
He said, “After exposing several scandals of the local authority through news reports, they have been after me. Yes, I am accountable for any news that lacks facts, and I am also accountable for any status updates I write. However, this case has been filed entirely against me with the goal of stifling an independent voice.”