Journalists Reporting Mistreated
28-year-old Shaurav Shah, residing in Birgunj Metropolitan City- 10, the owner and journalist for www.youthsofbirgunj.com, an online newspaper operated by New Birgunj Media Network Pvt. Ltd., was subjected to abuse on February 19, 2024.
During his coverage of a clash near the Statue of Girija Prasad Koirala on the aforementioned date, situated in Chhapkaiya of Birgunj Metropolitan City, journalist Saurabh Shah was targeted and abused by a group. Additionally, his motorcycle, bearing license plate number Province 2 039021 P 5408, was extensively damaged by thrown stones.
Furthermore, protests have erupted in various locations within Parsa regarding ongoing disputes, while clashes in Rautahat have led to the destruction of an idol of Saraswati. During the evening of February 19, while reporting on confrontations between protesters and law enforcement in Chhapkaiya, journalist Saurabh Shah was verbally abused and physically assaulted.
In response to these events, the Nepal Federation of Journalists, Birgunj, Parsa, issued a press release on February 19 condemning the mistreatment and assault on the journalist, as well as the vandalism inflicted upon his motorcycle. Anup Tiwari, President of the Nepal Journalist Federation, Birgunj, Parsa, denounced the incident as a violation of press freedom and expressed strong disapproval through an official statement.
It was noted that numerous motorcycles were present in the vicinity of journalist Shah’s vehicle. However, his motorcycle bore a sticker displaying the logo of his online publication. This sticker seemingly drew negative attention, resulting in verbal abuse directed at the media and subsequent damage to his motorcycle.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists has underscored the gravity of orchestrated attacks on media personnel, urging immediate legal action by civil society and relevant authorities against those responsible. The federation emphasized the constitutional right to press freedom and urged heightened measures to ensure the safety of journalists.
Shambhu Kumar Suman
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