Journalist Pushkar Bhatta associated with Mountain Television was attacked by chair of Slum People Protection (Khoka Chhapra Uddar) Committee on October 10 in Kanchanpur, a district in Province 7 of Nepal.
According to the Freedom Forum representative in Province 7, DR Pant, Chair Dewan Bista verbally misbehaved and attacked journalist Bhatta. Chair Bista accused Bhatta of covering news on illegal encroachment of land and construction of temporary huts.
Mountain Television had been continuously making news on illegal encroachment of land from some weeks. Chair Bista attacked and threatened journalist Bhatta while capturing photos of slum area. Bhatta sustained minor injury and got his camera damaged.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident that obstructed on journalist's right to free reporting. It is the sheer violation of press freedom. FF urges the concerned authority to take action against the attacker and respect press freedom.
For further 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;