Security officials misbehaved with journalist Buparaj Basyal over the news in Syangja on June 15. Syangja lies in Gandaki Province. Also, the local administration harassed journalists interrogating him about the published news.
Journalist Basyal is associated with Nepal Samacharpatra daily.
As per Freedom Forum's representative for Gandaki Province, Rajan Pokharel, journalist Basyal had published news regarding the suicide case of Galyang Health Branch's Chief. Over the news, journalist Basyal was called for interrogation at local administration. While heading to local administration, journalist Basyal was misbehaved by security officials.
Talking to Pokharel, journalist Basyal said, ''In the direction of Galyang Municipality Mayor Bhuparaj Adhikari, journalist Basyal was asked to be present at administration to explain about the suicide case which was published earlier in the newspaper.''
Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is violation of press freedom. Instead of harassing journalists by the local administration about published news, it could take legal recourse to get its complaint addressed in case of discontent over the news content. Misbehavior and harassment to journalist over news causes self-censorship and damages professionalism. Hence, FF urges the concerned authority to ensure a fear-free atmosphere for journalists.