Correspondent with Janata Television, Ganesh Acharya, was misbehaved by hospital staff on February 1 in Dang. Dang is situated in Province No 5 of Nepal.
Talking to Freedom Forum, correspondent Acharya shared, "Following the news published on a daily about unqualified doctors practicing in Rapti Zonal Hospital, Tulsipur, I reached the hospital for reporting at 10:15 am. I approached section officer Nim Bahadur Oli (as the earlier news had quoted him) and inquired him about the news details."
But, he furiously denied my queries, arguing that media defamed the hospital publishing fake news. He also shouted at me asking whether I wanted to disrepute the hospital, writing the news. Again, while I was recording his misbehavior, he ordered me to leave the hospital, trying to snatch my camera", added Acharya.
However, both the camera and recorders were safe.
Moreover, he had to leave the hospital premises after Oli warned of closing administration section of the hospital citing the reason of media interference.
FF is concerned about the incident, as it is a sheer violation of press freedom. Reporting and publishing news about issues of public concern is journalists' rights and citizens' right to information. Hence, FF urges the concerned authority to respect journalists' right to free reporting and provide them the required information.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
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Post Box No: 24292
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monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.org.np
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