Founder editor at https://www.gandaknews.com/ (web based new portal) Ranjan Adhikari was attacked while reporting in Kaski on September 12. Kaski lies in Gandaki Province of Nepal.
Journalist Adhikari shared with Freedom Forum that he and his colleagues Ganesh Baral (editor at www.pokharanews.com) and Prahlad Chandra Ghimire (Fewa Television) were at the district police office to report on a fraud case. Meanwhile, raged victims of the case were shouting with the slogans against journalists and media for allegedly misleading the public with fake advertisements at the gate of police office.
As soon as the victims realized the presence of the journalists, they attempted to attack but journalists Baral and Ghimire escaped the attack. The victims however, thrashed journalist Adhikari and seized his mobile for recording their protest. Later, they returned his mobile back after deleting the recording.
Police arrested two attackers after the incident and released them after two hours, informed Adhikari.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is a sheer violation of press freedom. Misbehaviour and attack upon journalists for doing their job in the premises of security authority depicts sheer irresponsibility of the authority to ensure safe atmosphere for journalists.
FF strongly urges the concerned to apologize for the attack and the security authority to ensure fear-free atmosphere for the journalists.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np