Province 2 Minister for Social Development, Nawal Kishor Saha, warned that the journalists could be hit with shoes. He made such remark after a program in Saptari district on December 29.
According to information provided by FF's representative in Province 2, Rajan Singh, journalists were reporting on Haluwai Samaj Nepal's district level conference where Minister Saha was the chief guest.
Reporters namely Baidhyanath Yadav (Avenues Television), Shubha Chandra Jha (Mithila weekly), Chandan Yadav, Bidhynanda Ram (Janata Television), Ramnath Yadav (News Today) and Shyam Sundar Yadav (News Today) were present during the program.
During lunch time, reporter Jha asked the Minister whether Member of Parliament who own house in Janakpur received housing allowance. Minister Saha then angrily said, "Journalists who write 'fake news' without proper research should be hit with shoes", informed representative Singh quoting Minister Saha.
Freedom Forum is concerned over the offensive statement of Minister to the journalists. It is fundamental rights of journalists to report on the state's financial system and irregularities slurring parliamentarians. Hence, FF urges the Minister to respect the right of press freedom and journalists. Labeling false allegation on journalists and making hasty generalization by the Minister is abhorring. It is sheer misbehavior towards journalists.
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