In an interaction organized by Human Rights Journalists Association (HURJA) on “Freedom of Expression and Security of Journalists” in the capital Thursday, senior journalist Yubaraj Ghimire argued that such a tendency on the part of big media houses especially after the political change in 2006 had left journalists in Nepal at the receiving end. [break]
Altogether 33 journalists were killed in Nepal after the start of Maoist insurgency in 1996 and hundreds of others were either physical assaulted or threatened. “The security threat to journalists in Nepal is on the increasing trend,” he said.
Ghimire alleged that many journalists in Nepal are showing “dual character” based on their affiliation to a certain political party or other groups. “These biases will make us further insecure. And our profession will lose the desired respect and status,” he further said.
Addressing the interaction, President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Shiva Gaunle expressed worry over increased attacks on journalists.
“It is the Press Council and other judicial organs that should make the journalists accountable,” he said, adding: “There cannot be any press freedom when other coercive means are used to make journalists accountable.”
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