FNJ flays attack on media

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepali Journalists, an umbrella organisation of working journalists in the country, has condemned the police attack on Doti correspondent of Samacharpatra Bimal Bista.

Bista, who is also a central representative of the FNJ, was thrashed by police yesterday evening over a personal feud. "We appeal to the concerned authorities to punish the guilty, release journalist Bista and ensure people's rights to information," read an FNJ statement issued here today.

Meanwhile, the FNJ deplored the incident of setting 15,000 copies of the Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post dailies and Nepal magazine afire by the cadres of Madhes Tarai Forum, a Tarai-based party, in Saptari district yesterday.

"It's a violation of the people's right to information. We urge the party to respect the right and not to repeat such incidents in the future," the journalists' body stated.

International Press Institute Nepal Committee also urged the government to take necessary action against the guilty in the Saptari’s incident.

IPI condemned the activities of the splinters of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum to ban broadcast of electronic media on Nepali language in Tarai districts beginning September 6.