Journalist in Nepal Attacked for Reporting on Strike

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed at reports of an alleged physical attack and death threats against a radio journalist by members of a political party in Harre, in Nepal’s mid-western region, on May 10.

 

According to the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an IFJ affiliate, Tila Bhandari, a correspondent for Nepal FM 91.8, was harassed by a group of about 50 people reportedly aligned with the Nepali Congress.

 

Bhandari was in Harre to cover news of a “bandh” (strike) called by the Nepali Congress in the surrounding Surkhet district. The FNJ’s Nepal FM chapter president said the group, which pressured Bhandari not to report on their activities, also confiscated the memory card from her camera.

 

“Any person or group who attacks, threatens or harasses a journalist is actively diminishing Nepal’s opportunity to install press freedom as one of the pillars of the country’s new democracy,” said IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park.

 

“As Nepal’s new government takes form and the writing of a new constitution begins, the IFJ strongly urges all political parties to support press freedom and respect the important role of journalists to inform the people of Nepal about the country’s political transition.”

 

The IFJ joins the FNJ in denouncing Bhandari’s attackers and calls on local authorities to investigate the incident immediately in order to bring those responsible to justice.

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

 

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries