Freedom Forum is alarmed over repeated incidents of press freedom violations during public protests and strikes ongoing in Province No. 5 against allocated Provincial Capital.
FF's stringer for Province No. 5 Sudeep Gautam reported that vehicle carrying journalists was stopped by agitating public on January 20 (Saturday) in Dang. The protests and strikes have intensified demanding preferred provincial capitals.
According to Stringer Gautam, a group of media persons had reached the site to cover news on the highway- centered protests and their demands at 12:15 pm. As soon as the journalists' reached the place, agitating public stopped the jeep and even tore up the press sticker.
Journalist Aazad Khadka (www.khabartokari.com) and a photo journalist Kuldeep Neupane respectively had to stuck for an hour in the vehicle and return back without reporting.
The incidents reveal how media faces intimidation during public disorder and conflict. Free and fair reporting is the fundamental right of media persons hence; Freedom Forum draws attention of the concerned authority to respect rights to freedom of expression and information.
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;