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