IFJ Concerned by Intimidation of Newspaper in Nepal

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in expressing concern over reports of threats and attacks directed towards the media in Nepal in the last week.

 

Reports indicate that on July 2, 2012, death threats were issued to two journalists from the Nigarani Daily and that the following day the paper’s press was vandalised.

 

According to reports, the Nigarani Daily ‘s Editor Milan K. Raut and correspondent Tejan Khadka were threatened by activists from UCPN, a Maoist affiliated labour union, because of a story they published in Urlabari, Morang, in Nepal’s Eastern region. The story was reportedly related to the altercation that took place between the groups of Maoist member Susan Limbu and Nepali Congress Nine Number president Khadag Fago, around June 18, 2012, which led to the deaths of two Maoist activists.

 

The following day, on July 3, a UCPN supporter vandalised the paper’s printing press, claiming that he had done so on orders from “someone outside”. The operating and vacuum systems were both disabled. The same supporter was reportedly an employee at the printing press and is currently in police custody.

 

The media in Nepal have been subject to various press freedom violations in recent months, and tactics of violence and intimidation have been used against journalists as political tensions in the country have risen.

 

In May, the IFJ condemned a wave of violence against media practitioners in Nepal, as political turmoil intensified, on the eve of the scheduled promulgation of a new republican constitution, which ultimately failed.

 

In the wake of the ongoing threats to journalists and press freedom in Nepal, the IFJ calls on the authorities of Nepal to ensure that all journalists are protected and that all threats made against them are investigated and those responsible brought to justice.


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

 

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

 

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

 

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific