Nepalese journalist attacked for timber smuggling report

March 27, 2017

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Nepal Press Union (NPU) and the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in condemning the attempted attack of a journalist by government employees in Bara district of Nepal on March 21. The IFJ urges the Nepal government to investigate the incident and punish those responsible.

Officials of the District Forest Office (DFO) at Simara, Bara tried to attack Upendra Yadav, a journalist with Nagarik national daily, when he reached the office seeking information regarding an incident of timber smuggling. Yadav reached the office seeking information regarding wood seized by the police that was being smuggled out of district.

The officials at the DFO were angered by the publication of the news in Nagarik daily and tried to attack Yadav at the office premises. Local residents who were on the spot, intervened to save Yadav.

NPU General Secretary Ajay Babu Shiwakoti in a statement said: "The attempt to attack a journalist over news story is a condemnable act. The NPU urges the Ministry of Forest to investigate the issue of wood smuggling and take action against the civil servants responsible for the attempt."

FNJ General Secretary Ujir Magar demanded action against those responsible for the attempted assault of the journalist Yadav.

The IFJ said: "The IFJ condemns the attempts to attack journalist Upendra Yadav in Bara, Nepal by the responsible civil servants. The attempt is a violation of press freedom and also a denial of providing information to the media. The IFJ urges the Nepal government to take suitable action against those responsible and ensure a safe and free reporting environment."

For more information contact:
International Federation of Journalists
Phone: +61 2 9333 0946
Website: www.ifj.org