Reporter at the Annapurna Post national daily, Bisna Prasad Neupane, received threatening messages for his cover story published on March 25. The incident occurred in Surkhet, Karnali Province, on March 26.
According to Laxmi Bhandari, Freedom Forum’s representative for the province, the story exposed the misuse of foreign aid and human resources for fulfilling the individual interests and management of a local social organization, Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj. The report was published both online and in print, in Neupane's byline.
Following the publication, relatives of the organization’s Chairman, Top Bahadur Malla, sent abusive messages and threats through social media platforms.
"After the news publication, Chairman Malla’s relatives, including Lokjan Singh Thakuri and Prakash Singh, threatened him, and Neupane suspects that his vehicle number was circulated among them. For his safety, he has not gone of his home for a while," said representative Bhandari.
Bhandari added that Neupane had filed a complaint with the District Police Office (DPO) in Surkhet on March 26, seeking action against the chairman’s relatives and requesting security to ensure his safety.
Freedom Forum condemns the intimidation of the reporter. Abusing and threatening a journalist for reporting is sheer violation of press freedom. FF strongly urges the concerned people to approach the Press Council Nepal to express their concerns over the published story.
FF further calls on the security authorities to take appropriate action based on the reporter's complaint, thereby helping in ensuring a free and safe environment for reporting.
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