Info officer threatens journalist while seeking information
Freedom Forum is concerned over an incident that journalist Upendra Thakur, affiliated with Kantipur Television, was misbehaved and threatened by Information Officer at the Office of Parsa National Park, Ashok Kumar Ram, in Bara district on 10 March. Bara district lies in Province 2 which is the southern plains in the eastern part of Nepal.
Journalist Thakur had requested Information Officer Ram to provide him information relating to a bridge construction that was taking place at buffer zone of the Parsa National Park.
According to Rajan Singh, Freedom Forum's Representative at Province 2, Information Officer Ram used abusive words and even threatened of mobilizing goons against journalist Thakur. Also, Information Officer warned of damaging journalist's camera.
FF condemns the incident as it is sheer violation of press freedom and right to information as well. Although the Information Officers are assigned to facilitate and ensure citizen's right to information by sharing information of public concern, denying information to the journalist is sheer irresponsibility. Moreover, use of abusive words and threat to journalist are against journalist's right to free reporting.
FF therefore strongly urges the concerned authorities to respect journalist's right and press freedom.
For more Information
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
www.nepalpressfreedom.org.np; www.freedomforum.org.np
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/4102022