Freedom Forum has been alarmed over the incident that journalists were barred from reporting in Bharatpur, Chitwan, a city in the southern plains of Province No 3 in Nepal. Many reporters affiliated to different media were barred from entering the Bharatpur Metropolitan Office for news coverage on 27 March 2018.
Reporters Prabin Kumar Dutta, Ramesh Kumar Poudel and Nawaraj Mishra of Kantipur Media, Sabita Shrestha of Nagarik daily, Tulman Gurung of Annapurna Post daily were asked not to stay inside the office, while a delegation of businesspersons in the district had been to office to submit a letter of attention on the newly executed tax rules in the Metropolis. The administrative staff at the office, Prem Raj Joshi, told the journalists not to attend the program.
Freedom Forum expresses concern over the action of Bharatpur Metropolis banning the reporters from covering the news and misbehaving with them. It is a sheer violation of press freedom. So the Metropolis is urged to ensure journalists' right to free reporting for its transparent activities and respect to people's right to information.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
4102030, 4102022
www.freedomforum.org.np; www.nepalpressfreedom.org