Madhu Lamsal, claiming himself 'press advisor' to Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Tek Bahadur Gurung, has threatened Prakat Kumar Sishir, reporter with the Nagarik daily, over the news on Ministry's plan on free visa to Nepali workers, in the capital city, recently.
On June 20, even two unidentified youths calling State Minister Gurung 'their brother' threatened reporter Sishir of taking action over the news he wrote about Labour Ministry's plan to provide free visa and ticket to Nepali workers in different countries.
"Why did you write about our brother Minister of State for Labour and Employment Tek Bahadur Gurung? If you continue writing about State Minister Gurung, you won't be left safe," they threatened me, said Sishir to Freedom Forum.
Some days later, reporter Sishir met and complained Minister of State Gurung about the threats. But, the Minister of State tried to save prestige, saying he was not involved in it. The Minister of State claimed it was their business.
Freedom Forum condemns the threat meted out on reporter Shishir. It is against press freedom and journalists' right to report in free atmosphere. Moreover, the people calling themselves near to the Minister are involved in the threat which is quite condemnable. The Minister, if they are his people, must make them aware on the importance of press freedom and stop efforts to silence media freedom.
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Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np
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