Editor-In-Chief Narayan Prasad Adhikari and reporter Shalik Bhatta at www.onlinepana.com were attacked for reporting news in Sarlahi on September 22. Sarlahi district lies in Madhesh Province of Nepal.
Editor Adhikari shared with Freedom Forum that they had been doing followup reporting on illegal activities of the Bagmati Municipality. On the day of incident, the journalists reached the municipality office to interview Mayor on the same issues.
During the interivew, the Mayor was unable to answer a few questions. "While we were returning after interview, Mayor's brother and few other people attacked us, blocking our way on the highway. We received injuries on head and face in the attack," Adhikari said, adding that he was preparing to file a First Information Report at the District Police Office against the attackers.
Freedom Forum condemns the attack upon journalists for their news reporting. It is a gross violation of press freedom. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to respect journalists' right to free reporting. The security authority is also urged to ensure safety and security of the journalists, thus contributing to the free and fair reporting atmosphere for fellow journalists.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np