FNJ seriously concerned over attacks on media
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has expressed grave concern over the unabated and targeted attack against media persons amid the ongoing agitation in Terai.
The FNJ issued a statement expressing serious worries about the continuation of attack against independent media and journalists, threats, physical attack and vandalism against media installations.
The statement adds that the situation of independent media and press rights of transmitting news unobstructed has been seriously jeopardised.
President of FNJ Bishnu Nishthuri, who recently returned from a field trip to Terai, revealed that journalists there were "facing attacks from the agitators who accuse them of writing less news about agitation."
According to the federation, in recent days, the situation of press freedom has become complicated in districts like Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Saptari, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa and Kapilbastu.
In many areas, publications of some newspapers have been stopped owing to threats and obstructions in movement due to constant curfew. Nishthuri said Morang-based journalists were receiving regular threats where publications of three dailies have simply stopped. The FNJ added that dozens of papers have suspended publications. In Bara, two journos have been displaced from their area of work. Similar situation is faced by journalists in Birgunj. On February 1, photojournalists Nitesh Mathema of Bypass daily and Ram Sharraf of Annapurna Post daily were attacked by Armed Police personnel when they tried to cover news during curfew.
The FNJ has appealed to the organisers of protests and agitating community to keep their promise of not hurting media personnel or media institutions.
Meanwhile the FNJ has deployed teams to different districts in Terai to monitor the situation of press freedom there. nepalnews.com sd Feb 03 07
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