IFJ Condemns Death Threat Made to Nepali Journalist

Media Release: Nepal
June 20, 2012
IFJ Condemns Death Threat Made to Nepali Journalist

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) are deeply alarmed by a recent death threat made against Arjun Bhattarai - a journalist affiliated with the Naya Karnali Weekly and President of Revolutionary Journalist Association Kalikot - in the mid-western region of Nepal.

According to the FNJ’s reports, Arjun Bhattarai received an anonymous phone call at around 3.30pm on June 14, threatening his life if he continued to report. The caller also told Bhattarai that his office is under threat.

Intimidation and violence against journalists is escalating in Nepal amid tensions arising from the stalemate over a constitution. This coupled with the government’s failure to investigate and prosecute many of these crimes is creating an environment of fear and self-censorship, affecting journalists’ ability to exercise their right to freedom of expression.

“Threats of violence against journalists are a serious matter, and should be treated as such,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“The IFJ calls on authorities in Nepal to take all necessary steps to ensure that journalists and press freedom are protected and that all threats are thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) took part in the International Media Mission to Nepal from 23 to 27 February 2012 to assess the media freedom situation in the country. The IMM joint statement can be found here.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook here

ENDS

© Scoop Media