Economic bureau chief at Himalaya Times national daily Lekhnath Pokharel was barred from reporting at Ministry of Finance on February 12. The ministry is located in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu.
Journalist Pokharel told Freedom Forum that after he entered into the program hall of the ministry to report on the half-yearly review of budget for the current fiscal year 2023/24, minister’s security restricted him entering and taking photo.
The program was organized by the ministry.
“As I was about to enter the hall, personal security officer of the Finance Minister stopped me. Even after I informed him about news coverage, he asked me not to use camera and keep even the mobile phone outside. I showed him my press identity card. But, he didn’t allow”, shared journalist Pokharel.
Freedom Forum condemns the officer’s attitude towards a journalist. A journalist can report news of any public event. Such behavior of a security person towards journalist is sheer violation of press freedom. Insecurity to journalist within Singha Durbar is equally worrying.
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Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np