The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) is disturbed to learn from its affiliate, the Federation of
Nepali Journalists (FNJ) of successive waves of theft at the Prime FM radio
station in Kavre district in central Nepal.
The radio station was robbed of
essential cables and other equipment on the night of October 23, following
which broadcasts were discontinued. On November 2, masked assailants attacked
the security guard on duty at the radio station and stole essential
transmission equipment as well as a battery.
These
successive waves of theft have completely disabled the radio station.
”The IFJ
asks local authorities to consider whether this was a targeted attack to
silence the radio station or just a case of theft,” IFJ
Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“Unsettled
conditions in certain parts of Nepal have made news gathering and dissemination
a hazardous pursuit.”
“In light
of the importance of radio broadcasting among all other forms of media in the
country, we urge Nepali authorities to consider whether some form of insurance
for radio stations could be provided, to protect them against theft and
vandalism.”
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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