Journalists were verbally abused and manhandled while covering an event in Morang, Koshi Province, on September 25.
Makalu Television reporter Dilip Agrawal told Freedom Forum that he and two colleagues were covering a municipal assembly. While taking a statement from municipal chief Bikash Siwakoti, he pushed Agrawal and verbally abused him. "He also threatened me of showing what he could do my journalism profession", the reporter added.
Municipal Chief Siwakoti also manhandled Chandan Paswan, a reporter for Koshi Awaj online. Paswan's hand sprained in the incident. Reporter Agrawal further shared that Siwakoti verbally abused Paras Mandal, a reporter for Our Pradesh online during the event.
FF condemns the misbehaviour towards journalists while they were reporting. Elected representatives should cooperate with journalists and provide information about public affairs to keep citizens informed through the media. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authorities to respect their right to report freely on issues of public concern.
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