Editor at Mithilaratna.com, Shiva Dayal Yadav received death threats over his reporting on November 28. The news portal operates from Siraha, Madhesh Province.
Yadav told Freedom Forum that he had published a news report on November 28 about alleged fraudulent activities at a local jewellery shop, including complaints from victims. Later, he visited the shop again to gather the owner Raju Sah’s comments. As the owner was not present, Yadav recorded a video showing the premises crowded with victims and posted it on the media’s Facebook page- Mithila Ratna.
Following the publication, the shop owner, Sah, called Yadav and threatened to “cut his legs and shoot him” for publishing news and uploading the video.
Yadav reported the threat to the local police. “Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramesh Bahadur Pal assured me that he would call both me and the shop owner for a discussion to settle the matter, but I haven’t received any call yet,” Yadav said.
“If I don’t get any response by the end of the day, I will lodge a complaint against Sah at the District Police Office, Siraha,” he added.
Freedom Forum condemns the threat issued to a journalist. Journalists have right to report on the issues of public concern and expose irregularities in the community. The concerned security authority is strongly urged to address the case fairly and ensure journalist's safety.
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