The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in condemning the attack targeting journalists covering a students’ election in Kathmandu, Nepal on March 28. The IFJ demands an investigation to punish those involved in the attack. Students protesting against the election of the Free Students Union at the Ratna Rajya Laxmi College on Exhibition Road in Kathmandu, hurled a petrol-based Improvised Explosive Device targeting photojournalists Shreedhar Paudel of OnlineKhabar.com and Keshav Thapa of The Kathmandu Post daily. The photojournalists were taking photographs of the protests and documenting scuffle between the police and protesters who were against the holding of the election. The photojournalists were not hurt as they managed to run away to safety. FNJ General Secretary Ujir Magar has demanded immediate action against those involved in attacking journalists on duty. Photojournalist Club Nepal, an FNJ associate union of photojournalists, said that Paudel, also the General Secretary of the Club, was targeted after the online publication of photos showing students hurling stones at the police. The Club has demanded action against those involved and also urged the authorities to ensure a safe environment for the media to disseminate news and information. The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the incident of hurling petrol bomb at photojournalists in Nepal. Such incidents not only undermine press freedom but also restrict people’s right to information. The IFJ demands immediate action against the culprits.”

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