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FNJ condemns attack on free press

Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has severely condemned the attack on media persons and the vehicles they were using by cadres of Unified CPN (Maoist) affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) during the strike they called in Kathmandu on Monday over the murder of one of their activists.

Issuing a press release, the umbrella organization of professional journalists in Nepal termed the misbehavior and attack on free press as an assault on people’s right to information and demanded that those involved in the incident be brought to book.

FNJ also demanded that the government compensate media persons who havebecome victims of such attacks.

Furthermore, it has asked all the political parties to make public their policy towards the free press.

During today’s strike, the YCL bandh enforcers had pelted stones and vandalized the press vehicles of Kantipur TV and Image TV. They had also manhandled an Image TV cameraperson and burnt the motorbike he was riding.

They had also obstructed journalists covering the strike from carrying out their duty in various places and had even manhandled them in few places.

Few days ago, Reporters Without Borders said it was outraged by the enormous difference between what Nepal’s political activists, especially members of Maoist organizations, say about the safety of journalists and what they actually do.

“What is the Maoist party doing to rein in those of its activists who use violence to intimidate Nepali journalists? Reporters Without Borders asked. nepalnews.com June 15 09