Members burned copies of the daily "Daraudi" because of a news item the paper had published, but gave no reason for their attack on programme host Hari Ghimire.
(Freedom Forum/IFEX) – Freedom Forum is seriously concerned about the ongoing violations of press freedom in Nepal following two separate incidents on 1 February 2011. Cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL), the youth wing of the largest political party in the constituent assembly of Nepal, were directly involved in both incidents.
YCL cadres attacked Nepal Television programme host Hari Ghimire, without providing any reason for their actions. Ghimire hosts the “Our Kathmandu” radio programme via Nepal Television.
In a separate incident, YCL cadres burned copies of the “Daraudi” newspaper in the western district of Gorkha. Their actions were connected to a story the newspaper published about irresponsible decisions made by a local school management committee.
Freedom Forum condemns both of these press freedom violations and asks the parties involved to resort to legal avenues if they are dissatisfied with news or media reports, rather than turning to these types of actions. Freedom Forum also calls on the authorities to take action immediately against the individuals who were involved in the actions against Ghimire and the “Daraudi” newspaper.
