Press Statement

Journalist attacked by hospital staff in Nepal

29 Nov, 2016

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Press Union (NPU) in condemning the attack on a journalist by the staff of a hospital in Siraha, eastern Nepal on November 21. The IFJ demands immediate action against those involved in attacking the journalist.

According to reports, Mithilesh Yadav, a journalist with Nagarik daily, was harassed at the Lila Mohan Hospital and Maternity Home Private Limited in Lahan of Siraha as he was reporting a dispute between hospital management and a patient’s relatives. Dhananjaya Yadav, a hospital employee, snatched his mobile and broke it while he was talking to hospital management about the dispute.

FNJ General Secretary Ujir Magar, in a statement said: “The FNJ strongly condemns the attack on a journalist while collecting information to report to the public and demands immediate action against those involved in the attack.”

NPU General Secretary Ajaya Babu Siwakoti said: “The incident shows that Nepali journalists are still working under an environment of fear of attack. The NPU demands immediate investigation into the incident to punish attackers.”

The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the attack on journalist Mithilesh Yadav in Nepal while he was reporting. Journalists should be able to report freely to ensure press freedom and the authorities must ensure the conducive environment for journalists by protecting them and punishing those involved in attacking journalists.”

Written By

IFJ Asia-Pacific IFJ Asia-Pacific

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