Journalist Arjun Giri, an editor of www.tandavnews.com, was issued threat for writing news in Pokhara on June 28. Pokhara lies in Gandaki Province.
According to Freedom Forum's representative for Gandaki Province, Rajan Upadhyay, journalist Giri was threatened by an unknown person over the phone saying that river bank was closed due to the news. It was mentioned in the news that Ram Chandra Thapa of Pokhara-25 has been using the river bank, claiming it as his land.
On July 26, Tandav News portal had published news with headline: 'Hemja's Sahasradharaghat under Thapa's control for years.' On the basis of the same news, the Pokhara Metropolitan City had directed to close the river bank on Sunday.
Subsequently, journalist Giri again published the news under the headline: ' Tandav News Impact: Letter from the metropolis to close Hemja's ghat immediately.'
FF condemns the incident as it is a sheer violation of press freedom. Instead of providing favorable atmosphere for journalists who expose irregularities and ill practices for the betterment of society, threat to them is deplorable. Fear-free environment must be ensured for journalists.
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For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np