Journalists were thrashed and misbehaved with at New Meena Theater Company in Saptari, an eastern district of Nepal on October 23.
Journalist duo, Sachin Pokharel and Baidhnath Yadav, were misbehaved and thrashed while they were covering news on special program of Dashain, the great festival of Nepali. According to journalists they were there to cover the news of uncontrolled series of gambling, drinking, and nude dance in the name of festival.
Journalist duo Pokharel and Yadav accused officials of Armed Police Force (APF) of protecting perpetuators. "Our camera, mobile set and identity card were looted on the directives of police officials," said journalist Pokharel after the incident. Journalist duo has sustained injury from the attack.
Freedom Forum strongly condemns the incident and asks the government to investigate the incident at the earliest and bring the guilty to book.
The incident is more complicated as the connection of responsible police officials — who are supposed to be accountable to maintain law and order and safeguard journalists' right to freedom of reporting — is indicated by victim journalists. Freedom Forum calls on the government not to keep any stones unturned to create congenial atmosphere for journalists to work without any obstruction.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022