Madhesh Province- based reporter at Ratopati.com, Ajay Shah was verbally abused and threatened following the publication of a news story. The incident took place on April 23 in Bardibas, Mahottari district,
Reporter Shah told Freedom Forum that he faced abuse and threats after publishing a news titled “Bardibas Water Supply and Sanitation Users Organization dispute unfolds" on the same day. The news story carrying Shah’s byline, revealed irregularities in the Bardibas Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Users’ Organization and disputes among its members and consumers.
Following the publication, the organization’s treasurer Bhoj Prasad Phuyal mistreated Shah. “As Phuyal saw me with my colleagues, he became aggressive and started abusing me, linking it to the news. He even threatened to kill me,” Shah said. Phuyal has also threatened a fellow journalist Bishal Basnet, Secretary of Network for Journalists of Bardibas, Mahottari for publishing statement demanding action against him, according to reporter Shah.
Shah further informed that he plans to register a First Information Report (FIR) at the local police office on April 27.
Freedom Forum expresses concern over the incident. Any disagreement regarding news content should be addressed through the Press Council Nepal rather than mistreating journalists. Such acts is a serious violation of press freedom. FF urges the concerned authority to ensure safe reporting atmosphere for journalists and to avoid any untowards incident in future.
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