Media close ranks against attacks on press freedom
Editors of different Kathmandu-based national dailies arrived here on Monday to take stock of press freedom and the security status of journalists.
Speaking at an interaction, leaders of different political parties denounced the threat issued by Mahesh Basnet, central chairman of the CPN-UML-aligned Youth Association Nepal (YAN), to families of journalists and police after the action against Parshuram Basnet, the main accused in the attack on journalist Khila Nath Dhakal. Chairman of Federation of Nepali Journalists Shiva Gaule said the YAN chairman’s remark was a mockery of press freedom and rule of law. Journalists from all over eastern Nepal urged the editors to stay united for press freedom and deal with every attack on journalists and press freedom.
Editor of Kantipur daily Sudhir Sharma said that all media houses stand united on press freedom. Editor of Nagarik daily Narayan Wagle assured that there was no divergence among publications regarding press freedom.
Editor of Nepali Times Kunda Dixit said the growing trend of attacks on journalists was the quickest way of terrorising society and added that it must be ended once and for all.
The visiting editors’ team met Morang Chief District Officer Suresh Adhikari, who admitted that YAN chairman Mahesh Basnet, who was arrested in the wake of the attack on journalist Dhakal, was released at the behest of the secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He also said Basnet was not arrested for publicly issuing threats to journalists and the police recently lest any untoward incident transpired.
SP Pradyumna Karki vowed to bring the attackers of journalist Dhakal to book and said he was not deterred by the YAN chairman’s threat. UML Morang Secretary Mahesh Regmi apologised on his party’s behalf for Mahesh Basnet’s remarks. He added that those party leaders protecting the attackers of Dhakal ought to be booked.
Amrit Aryal, Morang chairman of Nepali Congress (NC), said political leaders and activists promoting impunity must be punished. He said NC stands in favour of press freedom.
UCPN (Maoist), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik leaders censured YAN chief Basnet for issuing threats and demanded that all parties come together to discourage such acts.
Leaders based in Morang also pledged to jointly curb criminal activities rife within parties.
Posted on: 2011-08-16 09:16
Post Your Comment
Today's Paper
The Kantipur in Print
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
Abin
All of them discussed the issue. The result was the same...and we have committed to continue discussions on the issue till midnight.
ADVERTISEMENTS
OUR PUBLICATION :
