Freedom Forum has been gravely concerned over an incident of press freedom violation in the capital city on May 19, 2013.
The cadres affiliated to the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) seized all copies of the Rajdhani daily from its press, Chabahil, Kathmandu, early morning, thereby banning its distribution.
Chief Reporter with the daily, Dilli Acharya, said, "The cadres of All Nepal Revolutionary Press and Publications Workers' Association affiliated to the CPN (Maoist) led by Mohan Baidya, went the press and seized all copies of the daily which completely banned the newspaper circulation."
Earlier on May 17, the cadres working in the daily manhandled administrator at the daily, Dev Shrestha, reasoning that their cadre (a security guard) be transferred to the central office from the regional one, office regulation prepared and Working Journalists' Act implemented.
Seizure of the newspaper thereby banning its circulation is a sheer violation of citizens' right to information, and press freedom.
Similarly, panicking newspaper management by manhandling administrator is abhorrent. Such activities do not suit a democratic culture where genuine demands are made but in a systematic and honest manner.
Moreover, the incident has terrorized the journalists not only with the related media but with others in the country.
Freedom Forum therefore strongly urges the police administration to take action on the culprits. Also, the cadres affiliated to the Association which is linked to the Maoist party of Mohan Baidya must respect press freedom and right to information.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022