Kathmandu, October 1

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists today expressed serious concern about the adverse situation facing the Nepali media industry and journalists due to fuel shortage caused by continuous strikes in the Tarai.

“Broadcast of electronic media and publication of newspapers have been badly affected in various parts of the country due to shortage of petroleum products and newsprint. Biratnagar-based daily newspapers have already stopped publishing. The ongoing political crisis is likely to force all media houses to pull down their shutters if the problem is not resolved at the earliest,” said a press statement issued by the FNJ.

It has demanded that the government find an immediate solution to the crisis and do the needful to ensure supply of essential goods, including petroleum products, to media houses for their smooth operation.

According to the FNJ, one journalist was shot at and 21 others beaten in the country in the past three months. Similarly, 19 journalists faced intimidation for their news reports.