Bishwanath Thakur, editor-in-chief of the "Madhesh Post", received a death threat from an individual who said he was infuriated by the daily's coverage of a Cabinet shuffle.
(Freedom Forum/IFEX) – On 29 January 2011, journalist Bishwanath Thakur, the editor-in-chief of the “Madhesh Post” daily received a death threat in Sarlahi, a southern district of Nepal. Previously, on 25 January, a threat was also issued against journalist Shree Ram Rayamajhi, the deputy editor of the “Janapratibimba” daily, which is published in the district of Parsa.
In a telephone call, an individual named Ramdaresh Mandal told Thakur he would kill him. Mandal said that a news report published in the “Madhesh Post” about a recent Cabinet shuffle had infuriated him.
Freedom Forum is deeply concerned over the recent recurring press freedom violations, especially in the Terai plains area in which Sarlahi and Parsa are located. The organisation condemns the intimidation of journalists because of their coverage of the news and calls on the local authorities to ensure the creation of an environment conducive to the work of journalists.
