Press Statement

Nepali journalist attacked and threatened over reports

16 Jun, 2016

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Press Union (NPU) in condemning an attack on a radio journalist in the Solukhumbhu district in eastern Nepal. The IFJ demands immediate investigation into the incident and those responsible to be punished.

Bhanubhakta Niraula, the managing director of Himal FM, was attacked by Buddhi Kumar Rajbhandari, the co-ordinator of the Local Peace Committee, on the premises of the District Administration Office on June 9. Rajbhandari reportedly started threatening Niraula and tried to punch him as soon as he saw him asking him why he published news about the Committee. The attacker threatened Niraula not to broadcast any news about the Committee and its work.

The FNJ demanded the authorities to take action against the guilty. FNJ General Secretary Ujir Magar said: “The attack on journalist by a person of a responsible position without adopting legal remedy over dissatisfaction regarding the news is interference on press freedom.”

NPU deputy general secretary Saloja Dahal said: “An attack on journalist over the news is against the principle of press freedom. The NPU condemns the attack that is against the constitutional rights of a citizen and demands action against the culprit.”

The IFJ said: “The intolerance towards journalists and the violations of press freedom is increasing in Nepal and if the Nepal government fails to take measures in time for safety and security of journalists and media, it would lead to a dangerous situation for press freedom. The IFJ urge Nepal government to take immediate action.”

Written By

IFJ Asia-Pacific IFJ Asia-Pacific

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries.
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