The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in calling for the immediate investigation of a death threat made against journalist Hemanta Poudel, a reporter with the Samacharpatra daily on August 15 in the far western region of Nepal.
According to reports, a police officer made the threats against Mr Poudel’s life on behalf of the local Superintendent of Police Ghanashyam Aryal.
The threats followed the publication of a report by Sudur Sandesh on August 12, which uncovered local police involvement in cross-border smuggling between Nepal and India.
“Threats against journalists are a serious violation of media rights and press freedom. They are particularly disturbing when made by the very authorities charged with upholding the laws of the country.” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“We call on Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs to launch an immediate, independent investigate into this serious allegation”.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0918
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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