(FNJ/IFEX) – On 26 January 2008, Rajendra Gautam, a sub-editor with “Purbanchal Daily” in Jhapa, an eastern district of Nepal, was assaulted by chicken farmers, who dragged him out of his office and beat him. He has suffered chest pain following the attack. According to Krishna Humagain, Jhapa president of FNJ, on 25 January, Gautam […]
(FNJ/IFEX) – On 26 January 2008, Rajendra Gautam, a sub-editor with “Purbanchal Daily” in Jhapa, an eastern district of Nepal, was assaulted by chicken farmers, who dragged him out of his office and beat him. He has suffered chest pain following the attack.
According to Krishna Humagain, Jhapa president of FNJ, on 25 January, Gautam had recently reported on the bird flu epidemic in Western Bengal, India, near the eastern border of Nepal.
FNJ condemns the attack and urges the culprits not to repeat such actions, which hinder freedom of expression and the right to information. Journalists have the right to disseminate any news that may have a direct or indirect impact on the public. FNJ has also urges the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.