On Monday afternoon, former lawmaker Baban Singh publicly threatened journalist of Rauthat district reasoning they brought the news against protests in southern plains.
According to Uttam Upadhyay, reporter to the National News Agency (RSS), in a live radio interview with a local Kohinoor FM in Rautahat, former lawmaker Singh threatened Gautam Shrestha of Avenues TV of killing by setting on fire or shooting.
Rautahat is another district in the southern plains where the protestors are escalating the agitations.
Reporter Upadhyay added, "It is quite scary to go for field reporting, for they can be attacked at any time by the protestors. The protestors are accusing media of writing news in a way it would suppress their agitations."
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns this incident as these are blatant violations of press freedom.
To this, Freedom Forum Chairperson Taranath Dahal comments, "Peaceful protest is the rights, but making agitation violent and panicking journalists and common citizens is never a good practice. Through dialogue, we can solve problems and make society peaceful where citizens' rights are protected."
Also, Freedom Forum requests the concerned security persons and local administration to keep a vigil on the agitators in view of the possible attacks on journalists.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np
Email: monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.org.np