Yet again, Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, Harka Sampang, issued a public threat to an investigative journalist, Gopal Dahal and journalist Janak Rishi Rai over a news reporting.
Mayor Sampang took to social media, Facebook, on December 4 and threatened the journalists of 'ending their career.'
"Gopal Dahal, Janak or any representative of the Centre for Investigative Journalism, appear before me at Dharan-18 tomorrow, otherwise I have the clout to end your investigative journalism for which I bear the name Harka Sampang. Be sure, you crook!" It was what Mayor Sampang posted on Facebook.
Earlier, Dahal had written an investigative story on 'arbitrary rule of Harka Sampang; Dharan mired in irregularities' for the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ). The CIJ published the story on its website.
After the threat issued by Mayor Sampang, journalist Dahal said as a municipal chief Sampang holds power so he was in fear and could need support against possible intimidation. Journalists submitted an attention letter to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak seeking security and support from the administration at at gathering held on December 6. Thereafter, they lodged a complaint at Area Police Office, Dharan against the Mayor.
Again, on December 8, Mayor Sampang wrote a letter to the Home Minister requesting that he take legal action against the journalists. In the letter, Sampang accused the journalists of defaming him through false reporting. The ministry officials however, said that they were reportedly unaware about any letter from Mayor Sampang.
Moreover, Journalist Dahal received life-threatening messages on his mobile phone from a number 9707368707. It is said that the Mayor's supporters own the phone number. Messages read as- 'You donot have more days.' Mayo Sampang continues to share posts abusive to journalists on his social media page.
According to National Human Rights Commission Koshi Province Office's chief Bir Bahadur Budha Magar, the commission is in contact with the journalists and has written to the police office for their security.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident for its sheer violation of press freedom. Despite being a responsible public official, Mayor Sampang has threatened the journalists of attack and ending their career, which has panicked the journalists and entire media fraternity. He has discredited entire media profession.
"Mayor Sampang has crossed the limit. He emerged the most hostile to journalists and free media since he came in power. Repeated threats and attacks on journalists who write and speak against his work style in Dharan Sub-Metropolis reflect that he wants to hush every critical voice, giving no space for free expression, which is contradictory to Nepal's constitution and democratic practice. So, the threat is deplorable. FF is ready to cooperate with the victim journalist at this hour of need," FF Executive Chief Taranath Dahal spoke about the incident.
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(The page was last updated on December 9, 2024.)