An unknown gang attacked Pratik Pradhan, Chief Editor at the Nagarik daily, in the capital city in the evening of January 7, 2014.
Talking to Freedom Forum's Media Monitoring Desk, Chief Editor, Pradhan said, "When I was heading to Sinamangal from Old Baneshwor in the capital city, some eight unknown persons carrying sticks and home-made weapons as scimitars attacked my car in the front, in the rear and vandalized it. They fled the scene swaying the weapons. I was in traffic congestion."
The attack on editor Pradhan who is dedicated in the profession for over two decades and always vocal against social malpractices and irregularities and exposing these through media, suggests the suppression and threat by some unscrupulous elements who might have been uneasy for his professional journalism devoted to democracy, press freedom and civil rights.
Asked whether there was any publication inviting such untoward activity, Chief Editor Pradhan said, "I've been continuously writing against every misconduct and wrongdoing in my newspaper. So, the attackers can be those who want to subdue my right to independent journalism."
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the attack and urges the government strongly to immediately arrest the attackers and bring them to book. The attack on media persons within the capital city suggests very poor security to journalists who need freedom in reporting, articulation.
At a time 2013 saw some improvements in press freedom, the beginning of the New Year has shown bad omen, for the media persons are attacked within the capital city. There were 59 incidents of press freedom violation during 2013.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np
Email: info@freedomforum.org.np; monitoring@freedomforum.org.np