Freedom Forum is concerned over the threat issued to journalist Rakesh Kumar Yadav for writing news about Deputy Mayor Kiran Thakur in Rautahat on May 13. Rautahat lies in Province 2. Journalist Yadav is associated with Janakpur Today newspaper.
As per information sent by FF representative from Province 2, Rajan Singh, Gaur Municipality Deputy Mayor's driver Ramsharad Thakur threatened journalist Yadav of physical attack if he continued writing news about the activities the Deputy Mayor had involved. He also asked reporter Yadav to immediately stop writing such news.
Prior to the incident, Yadav had published news about Deputy Mayor's initiative to build a house violating the criteria mentioned in the building code.
FF condemns the incident, as it is a sheer violation of press freedom. Such threat of attack is against journalist's right to free reporting, causing self-censorship. FF strongly urges the municipality Deputy Mayor to respect press freedom and ensure free reporting environment.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022