The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has
learnt with great concern that Jagat Joshi, a reporter with the Nepali daily Janadisha,
has been missing from Attariya town in Kailali district in Nepal’s far west since
October 8.
Joshi is
district chairman of the Revolutionary Journalists' Association, according to
the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an IFJ-affiliate.
The
president of FNJ’s Kailali district chapter has lodged a report on Joshi’s disappearance
with local police.
A team of FNJ
office bearers from the national and district levels met the Chief District
Officer to impress upon him the urgency of investigating the circumstances of Joshi’s
disappearance.
Joshi had
reportedly gone to Attariya on October 8, with plans to visit Kathmandu
the following day. He has not been heard from since.
“The IFJ joins
the FNJ in expressing concern about increasing instances of media rights
violations and direct and indirect threats faced by journalists in Nepal,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
In a
separate incident, Dinesh Thapa, a member of the FNJ’s Sindhupalchowk district
chapter, and Netra Paudel, a correspondent for Sindhu Prabaha weekly,
were attacked on November 12 in Sindhupalchowk in central Nepal by
demonstrators preparing for a general strike.
According
to the FNJ, the two journalists were severely beaten by demonstrators who accused
them of not arriving at the venue of their mobilisation in time and being
indifferent to their interests.
“The IFJ denounces
efforts by various groups to assume editorial powers over the media,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
“Nepal has
credible forums for grievance redress in matters involving the media, which
should be used by the public to create a healthy and respectful relationship
with the journalism profession.”
For
further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The
IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries