Govt flayed for rise in impunity

Kathmandu, January 17:

Condemnations continued to pour in against the killing of Janakpur-based journalist Uma Singh. Singh was hacked to death by an unknown gang last Sunday.

Dharmendra Jha, president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, today, said an end to impunity was necessary to ensure security of journalists across the country.

Addressing a talk programme organised by the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters on ‘Existing Situation of Nepali Media’, Jha criticised the government for not being able to nab Singh’s murderers. He added that professional and physical insecurity were the main impediments to the betterment of journalists.

Narayan Wagle, editor of www.dainikee.com, deplored the increasing violence against journalists around the country and said that both the criminal outfits and political elements were targeting press corps to avenge personal enmity. Journalists will continue to be the targets as long as violence-oriented politics dogs the nation, he added.

Meanwhile Yuba Raj Ghimire, editor of Newsfront weekly, urged all kinds of media to unitedly fight against activities against press freedom.