FNJ calls Maoists to honour press freedom

February 13, 2006
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The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), an umbrella organization of working journalists, has expressed objection over the Maoist threat to take action against journalists and urged the Maoist leadership to immediately stop terrorizing journalists and respect press freedom.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the FNJ has drawn the attention of the Maoist leadership towards the repeated threats and harassment to journalists Ekaedra Kumar Kunwar of Accham Sandesh Weekly and Birendra Rawal of Hamro Seti weekly.

The Maoists on February 1 issued a notice to Kunwar to be present at the “Seti-Mahakali Autonomous Council, People’s Republic District People’s Court” in Accham within seven days or face dire consequences.

Rawal has also received similar threat. Stating that the latest act of Maoists contravenes the agreement signed earlier between Maoists and FNJ, the FNJ urged the Maoist leadership to honour their commitment.

According to the FNJ, Maoists and FNJ signed an agreement to honour independence of media and allow unconditional access to journalists to collect and disseminate news.

Meanwhile, the federation also urged the government to immediately release 16 journalists.

The detained journalists include, Shyam Shrestha, Sudarshan Acharya, Bhaktadhwaj Bohara, Dwarika Upreti, Dil Bahadur Ayre, Keshav Neupane, Chamina Bhattrai, Sambhu Mahato, JB Ghale Magar and Tikaram Ghimire among others.