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Alert

Journalists harassed by protesters, videotape seized

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 11 August 2009, protesters who were angry with the minister for youth and sports, Ganesh Nepali, harassed and manhandled journalists Prakash Chandra Pariyar, Bhuwan KC and Anil Chettri, as well as camera operator Ram Saran Sharma. The incident occurred at the offices of the Terai Madhesh Democratic Party. The journalists and camera operator were covering the protest and a scuffle that broke out between members of the party. In the course of their actions against the journalists, the protesters seized a videotape from the camera operator and ordered the media personnel to leave immediately.

The FNJ strongly condemns the actions against the journalists and camera operator and calls on all those involved to behave in a responsible manner to ensure that press freedom and freedom of expression are respected. The FNJ urges the political activists and leaders of the party to respect the rights of journalists covering the news. The organisation calls for a thorough investigation into the incident and for appropriate actions to be taken against those responsible. Furthermore, the FNJ also demands that the seized videotape be returned to the journalists as soon as possible.