Chief District Officer (CDO) of Parsa district Loknath Poudel misbehaved with reporter of the Parsa based local Public FM, Pranaya Saha, while reporting on sanitation in public offices on May 29. Parsa district lies in Province 2 of Nepal.
Province 2 Representative of Freedom Forum, Rajan Singh, reported that the incident occurred at District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa. Reporter Saha had gone to DAO for reporting on the sanitation in the office premises.
While inquiring CDO about the sanitation and lavatory, he without answering the question, commented, "All the journalists of Parsa as brokers." Reporter Saha added, ''CDO threatened me saying he does not entertain the reporters. He has dealt with many reporters like me. He said me to leave his office or bear the consequences."
However, CDO Poudel claims that he had not misbehaved with the journalist.
Freedom Forum condemns the misbehaviour against the reporter and urges the CDO to respect the press freedom and right of the journalist to report in free atmosphere. FF reminds the public officer that holding a public position brings responsibility; hence one should always respect press freedom and help enable the environment for the promotion of free press. Misbehaving journalists is discouraging and may result in a dent to journalists' professionalism.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np, info@freedomforum.org.np
4102030, 4102030
Thapathali, Kathmandu