The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is dismayed at reports of a series of violent incidents against journalists working in Nepal’s far east and west.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an IFJ affiliate, is concerned by a continuing trend of violent targeting of individual journalists for their professional work, with four separate attacks reported in the past week.

Karna Kunwar, publisher and editor of Tikapur Times Daily, in the far-western district of Kailali, was attacked on June 24 by a group allegedly connected to Maoist cadres. The attack was reportedly in retaliation for unfavourable coverage in the paper.

The incident follows a decision by 12 editors and publishers in Kailali on May 29 to close their operations. They cited lack of security and fear for their personal safety.

Lekhnath Khatiwada, the president of the Panchthar chapter of the FNJ, in the eastern region, reported physical abuse and threatening phone calls on June 17 and 18 by alleged members of the Federal Limbuwan State Council. He was reportedly told to cease writing or lose his life.

In nearby Morang district, the editor-in-chief of Nirantar Weekly, Mahendra Luintel, was attacked by the owner of a local business as he sought to collect information about allegations of malpractice and corruption made against the business.

Meanwhile, in Kathmandu, a reporter for the Janadisa Daily, Mahesh Shrestha, received threats and was physically abused by the owner, finance director and supporters of a local company after publishing an investigative report alleging corruption in the business.

“Nepal’s smooth transition to democracy depends on freedom of expression and press freedom as values that encourage open and transparent governance and support the public right to know,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.

“Individuals with a personal gripe about published journalistic material or journalistic investigations must desist from retaliating against individual reporters in a violent manner and instead use the standard channels of complaint procedures to resolve the matter.”

The IFJ joins the FNJ in calling on local authorities to investigate each incident and send a message to all perpetrators of violence against the media that journalists must be allowed to gather news information freely and without intimidation.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 in 122 countries worldwide