Freedom Forum has been saddened over several brutal incidents of press freedom violations including the death of a journalist and attack on another in the protest organized by pro-monarchy demonstrators in the federal capital, Kathmandu on March 28.
The protestors vandalized media houses, attacked media persons and killed a media person during the protest organized at Tinkune, Kathmandu.
The pro-monarchist groups organized the demonstration, demanding restoration of monarchy and Hindu Kingdom. As the protestors breached the prohibited area, police clashed with them. Police used tear gas shells and water cannons to scatter the mob, but the situation took an ugly turn.
They hurled stones at media houses- the Annapurna Post national daily and Kantipur Television at Tinkune area. They also set on fire the office of Annapurna Post. Glasses of windows in the buildings were broken in the incident.
A photojournalist at Avenues Television, Suresh Rajak, died in a fire set on a building at Tinkune by the protestors. According to the fellow reporters on site, reporter Rajak was covering the protest from rooftop of the building which was set on fire by the protestors. Official confirmation is however, awaited.
Similarly, reporter with the Onlinekhabar.com Dinesh Gautam was attacked by the protestors, breaking his leg, while he was taking pictures of the protestors. Photojournalist at The Himalayan Times national daily Rajesh Gurung was also injured by rubber bullets while covering the pro-monarchy protests in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu.
The protestors also threw stones at the vehicle of Himalaya Television.
Following these incidents, District Administration Office, Kathmandu issued a curfew order in the affected areas till 7 am on March 29.
Such horrible incident reminded the armed insurgency. The burning of journalist in the protest exposed increasing threat to journalists and media houses in Nepal. The protestors and government are blaming each other that they were culpable of this incident.
It has brought to light the bitter reality that Nepali journalists are still unsafe. Whether it is because of security lapses from government side or the media houses’ recklessness of reporters’ mobilization, the reporters have been butt of attack. Multiple questions emerged after the death of Rajak in the fire caused by protestors- government’s handling of protest and security arrangement, capacity and preparedness of journalists for crisis reporting, organizers’ indifference to media rights, media houses’ planning and mobilization of reporters in demonstration and clash, among others.
This incident shows growing challenges of media coverage on political unrest.
FF vehemently condemns the killing of journalist Rajak, attack on other journalists and media houses. Government is strongly urged to conduct a fair probe on the violent incidents and bring to book the perpetrators. Such mockery of press freedom is unacceptable in a democracy. Adequate safety of journalists for free reporting is imperative. Mere mention of ‘press freedom’ in law is not enough, but its translation into action.
FF pays tribute to the late journalist Rajak and extends condolences to the bereaved family members.
FF demands fair investigation & legal action against those responsible for the incidents. Moreover, FF repeatedly urges all concerned including the administration and protestors to respect journalists’ right to free reporting and ensure adequate safety of the media persons in such situations. The media houses and journalists are also equally urged to use safety gears and report from safe space during violent protests.
For more,
Freedom Forum
