The International Federation of Journalists share the serious concern expressed by its affiliate, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) about a radio journalist who went missing from Taplejung, in Nepal’s Eastern Region on September 16.
Madan Poudel who is affiliated with Nepal’s Radio Tamor 102, has been missing since the evening of September 16. He was last seen at Fulbari, Taplejung reportedly attending an event called "Taplejung Dance Star 2069".
The FNJ considers the incident to be “suspicious as well as mysterious”. The journalist reportedly went missing the same day he had reached Fulbari.
"The IFJ is seriously concerned for the wellbeing of Madan Poudel. We join the FNJ in requesting that local authorities investigate the matter and launch an immediate search for Poudel”, IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
The FNJ has also appealed
to human rights activists, civil society, journalists and media houses to help
in the search.
In as separate incident, the FNJ has condemned the death threat made against Madan
Thakur, treasurer of their Rautahat chapter, on September 24, by Prabin Pandey,
a teacher of the Buddha Secondary School.
According to FNJ reports, there was no apparent reason for the death threat.
Violence, threats and intimidation against journalists and other media personnel have escalated in recent months.
“In light of both of these worrying incidents, we call on authorities in Nepal to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of journalists, to protect press freedom and thoroughly investigate all instances of suspected violations”, Park said.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) took part in the
International Media Mission to Nepal from 23 to 27 February 2012 to assess the
media freedom situation in the country. The joint statement of the mission can
be found here.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0918
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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