District correspondent for Avenues Television in Saptari, Baijanath Yadav, was threatened by a group of people in Saptari, a southern plain district of Nepal, on January 1. Journalist Yadav was threatened by Indian lawmaker Sarfaraz Alam's security guards and his supporters for allegedly airing news about his entry to Nepal with arms and armed security personals.
Journalist Yadav was forced to leave his workplace due to security threat due to the effect of his reporting. The threat came when the news he covered about the lawmaker entering Nepali territory with armed personnel was aired through Avenues Television. Indian legislator Alam reportedly arrived there to attend a picnic program organized on the occasion of New Year 2011.
Journalists of Saptari had been there for picnic purpose where lawmaker Alam and his allies were seen with well-equipped arms and animations, according to Avenues Television. The news stated that it was illegal to enter the territory of a sovereign country with armed personnel without talking permission of the authority concerned. Consequently, journalist Yadav was compelled to leave the place after the misbehaviour and threat against him.
Freedom Forum expresses serious concern over the incident asking the local administration to immediately investigate into the event and book the guilty party after finding out the objective reality. It is indeed a blow against the journalist's right to free reporting on the issues of public concern. The Forum also calls on the border security authority of Nepal to prevent such consequences resulting from the lawlessness in the boarder areas. The Forum demands with the local administration to create a workable environment for journalist Yadav and guarantee his right to profession without any interruption.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022