Ward Chair of Changunarayan Municipality and his supporters manhandled reporters Roshan Gharti and Nabaraj Giri while reporting in Bhaktapur on October 2. Bhaktapur lies in Bagmati Province of Nepal.
Roshan Gharti is a correspondent to https://www.pnpkhabar.com/ and Giri is publisher of https://www.onlinetvnepal.com/.
Talking to Freedom Forum, reporter Gharti said, "We had reported on alleged involvement of Ward Chair Jayant Khadka on misuse of grant for livestock provided by the municipality in the district. We reached Municipality Office on the day of incident for follow-up. But, the Ward Chair along with his supporters not only attacked us but also my mobile while taking video. He returned the mobile back after three hours but I had to delete the recording."
Gharti further informed that Khadka also threatened him not to publish any news about the incident or they should bear consequences.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is sheer violation of press freedom and right to information. Harassment meted out to journalist by people's representative gives a message that journalists are threatned by the public figure as well, disrespecting the value of free press in the society. Such trend must come to an end.
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