Attempts to Intimidate Media in Nepal

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in expressing its concern over reports that copies of the Nagarik Daily Newspaper were reportedly burned by activists in Koteshwar, Kathmandu (Central Region of Nepal) on April 20, 2012.

 

The group of activists, reported to be affiliated with the student wing of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), allegedly vandalized a promotional booth for the Nagarik Daily and burnt copies of the paper that were at the booth.

 

The student activists were reportedly protesting news that had been published in the Nagarik Daily on April 19, which implicated members of the Youth Association of Nepal affiliated to CPN UM in assaults on activists of the Nepal Student Union affiliated to the Nepali Congress (UML).

 

“The IFJ condemns attempts to intimidate the media through the vandalisation or destruction of property,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.

 

“If left unpunished, crimes of this nature undermine press freedom and media rights.”

 

“We call on the government of Nepal to investigate these attacks, and to take action against those found guilty of these crimes.

 

This incident follows reports that Dinesh Gautum, a correspondent for the Nagarik Daily newspaper in Nepal’s Banke District, was allegedly threatened by Raju Nepali, Nepal Army Colonel based in Imamnagar Barreck, in response to stories he had written for the paper on April 17.

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0950

 

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

 

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