The management of Bajura FM compelled to close down its regular radio program "Halkhabar" from August 26 after local CPN (Maoist) leaders allegedly imposed censorship on the news about party chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda). As a consequence, Program presenter Nimendra Shahi was dismissed from his job in the FM, only one radio in Bajura, a far-western region of Nepal.
According to The Kathmandu Post (TKP), Maoist district in-charge Sahadev Bogati had taken strong exception to the news about PM Dahal importing a bed from China. The news was aired four days ago.
Radio operators said the program had to be terminated and the program host was sacked due to some internal reasons inside the station.
To the contrary, Shahi claimed he was fired accusing him of defaming the radio station through a local paper that ran a story about Bajura Radio being pro-NGO a few days ago.
Freedom Forum deplores the incident and expresses sorrow over the development of circumstances leading to the closure of radio program and dismissal of working journalist from his job. It is a serious incident of intervention gagging press freedom and preventing people from getting information; moreover the sacking journalist has vehemently ignored his right to profession.
The Forum asks the Maoist leadership to stop such activities and shows respect to press freedom and people’s right to information.
According to The Kathmandu Post (TKP), Maoist district in-charge Sahadev Bogati had taken strong exception to the news about PM Dahal importing a bed from China. The news was aired four days ago.
Radio operators said the program had to be terminated and the program host was sacked due to some internal reasons inside the station.
To the contrary, Shahi claimed he was fired accusing him of defaming the radio station through a local paper that ran a story about Bajura Radio being pro-NGO a few days ago.
Freedom Forum deplores the incident and expresses sorrow over the development of circumstances leading to the closure of radio program and dismissal of working journalist from his job. It is a serious incident of intervention gagging press freedom and preventing people from getting information; moreover the sacking journalist has vehemently ignored his right to profession.
The Forum asks the Maoist leadership to stop such activities and shows respect to press freedom and people’s right to information.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022