Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a global rights watchdog has expressed concern over a series of assaults, threats and coercive measures taken by Maoist cadres against the press in various parts of the country even after success of April movement.
A press release issued by the RSF said even though Maoist attacks on journalists have considerably decreased compared to previous years, they are nevertheless regular and symptomatic of a failure to tolerate criticism.

“On several occasions, and in particular in front of the international mission on press freedom in Nepal, the Maoist party’s most senior leaders have sworn their commitment to the freedom and security of journalists,” the worldwide press freedom organisation said, adding, “These commitments should be urgently respected in practice. We call on the movement’s leaders to bring their militants into line and to show greater transparency,” it added.

The international rights watchdog has expressed serious concern over the misbehaviour against journalists in various parts of the country in the charge of writing news that are not in their favour.

The RSF also expressed concern that the Maoists have occupied the offices of state-owned Nepal Television (NTV) in Kohalpur, western Nepal.

The statement further said, “According to the FNJ, Maoist cadres have detained assaulted, wrongly summoned or censored at least eight journalists since the return to democracy last April.”