Narjan Tamang, a Humla based journalist was issued a death threat for publishing news by locals on December 27. Tamang was threatened for publishing news about the haphazard distribution of subsidized rice of Nepal Food Corporation, Humla. Humla lies in Karnali Province.
Journalist Tamang is associated with Nayapatrika Daily and also he is affiliated with Nepal Television.
According to FF's representative for Karnali Province, Laxmi Bhandari, journalist Tamang was abused after he wrote the news which was all about Khurpunath Village Development Committee Chair Karna Bahadur Rawal who broke the key of Corporation and distributed 36 quintal rice to his followers. The news was published in Nayapatrika Daily on December 21.
Following the news, journalist Tamang was threatened by two locals near the Kharpunath Village Development Committee office.
Journalist Tamang shared,'' when I was returning from Chankhel, two-person attempt to attack me saying that why did I write the news about Corporation.''
Meanwhile, FF's representative Bhandari talked to Humla District Police Office's DSP Ram Prasad Gharti Magar and District Administrative Office CDO Binita Adhikari.
DSP Magar said,'' journalist Tamang was posed threat for publishing news and therefore, we have been investigating the case to take action against the perpetrator.''
Likewise, CDO Adhikari stressed that discussion is holding on journalists' safety and if the case is not sorted out, it would be taken to the court.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident where journalist Tamang was issued a death threat for publishing news. It is responsibility of journalist to expose misconduct happening in society and also to alert concerned stakeholders regarding the misdeed. Journalists' right to free reporting is the right guaranteed by laws of Nepal. Hence, FF urges concerned stakeholders to investigate the case as soon as possible and take action against the perpetrator.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022