Incident Reports

Journalists assaulted by people's representatives in Doti

2021-06-24

Sudurpashchim, Doti, Purbichauki

Three journalists; Jhalak Pali, editor of Najar Nepali Weekly, Subash Nepali, correspondent of Nepal Television Doti, and Prem Nepali, a journalist working at Tribeni FM who had gone to Purbichauki rural municipality of the Doti district for news gathering and administrative work were allegedly assaulted by the people's representatives. Protesting against the incident, FNJ-Far West, FNJ- Doti Branch, Press Chautari, and Press Center have issued a press release demanding legal action against the perpetrators of the incident and guarantee of professional security.

They were covering the news in the municipality regarding the operation of isolation wards,  X-ray service, the activities carried out under the Dalit targeted program and the number of advertisements. They were also there to collect the due payment from the municipality regarding advertisements and information.

Journalist Jhalak Pali and others have accused people's representatives of beating them up without any reason and of behaving abusively and indecently. According to them, Ward Chairman of Ward No. 1 Anka Bahadur Khadka, Ward Chairman of Ward No. 4 Nawaraj Khadka, local Prem Bahadur Khadka of Ward No. 4, and Shankar Bahadur Kathayat of Ward No. 5 have behaved indecently in the office premises. The journalists have alleged that the village chairman Bogati and vice-chairman have insulted them in front of policemen from Sanagaun police station, physically assaulted them, and forced them to turn off the camera and open the mask.

Details and Impacts
Violent / Non-violent Violent
Onesided / Twosided Onesided
Collective / Interpersonal Collective
Primary Form Assault (large group)
Weapons None
Primary Cause Issues related to freedom of expression and civil rights
Actor 1 - Number of people 3
Actor 1 - Affiliations Local authorities (incl VDC, district, gov. line agencies at local level except education and health)
Actor 1 - Youth na
Actor 2 - Number of people 3
Actor 2 - Affiliation (Target) Journalist/Media
Actor 2 - Youth na
National/Online Media

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