KATHMANDU, Feb 20: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has asked Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to urgently address the climate of impunity for violence against journalists that threatens Nepal´s media.
Sending a letter to the prime minister on Tuesday, the CPJ reminded him about the December 29 agreement reached between the government and the Federation of Nepali Journalists against a series of attacks on media outlets.
"Yet nearly two months on, conditions for journalists continue to deteriorate, CPJ said. "Your government must urgently address the climate of impunity for violence against journalists that threatens Nepal´s media."
Nepal places eighth on CPJ´s impunity index, which tallies countries that consistently fail to prosecute journalist murders. As the leader of the coalition government, and as head of your party, you have a unique responsibility for reversing this trend, the international journalist watchdog said.
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CPJ has also urged to punish Maoist cadres involved in media attacks.
"Both the frequency and the methods used in attacks carried out by your supporters provide a model for those undertaken by other political and criminal groups," it said. "This seriously undermines the rule of law, and negates your public efforts to negotiate peace with militant groups in the Tarai (sic) region. They, in turn, embrace the same tactics."
