JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 10, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
In less than one week, two incidents of journalists being physically attacked in Nepal have raised concerns about safety.
Journalists Chhabilal Tiwari and Om Prakash Gayal were attacked in Parbat on August 9; and Radheshyam Biswokarma, Salman Khan and Deepak Ghimire were attacked while reporting in Rupendehi on August 5.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate Nepal Press Union (NPU) in strongly criticizing the attacks and demanding immediate arrest and punishment to the culprits.
On August 9, Chhabilal Tiwari, correspondent of Nagarik daily and chairman of the district committee of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and NPU, and Om Prakash Gayal, station manager of Radio Saligram, were attacked by local construction businessman Puskal Sharma. Sharma, who was reportedly drunk at the time, approached them and started attacking. Gayal was injured in the attack and Sharma’s cloths were torn. The motive behind the attack was not immediately clear.
Similarly, on August 5, Butwal Today daily and Buddha TV’s Radheshyam Bishwokarma, Annapurna Post daily’s local journalist Salman Khan and Khabar weekly’s editor Deepak Ghimire were attacked by the students who were organizing a protest over the death of a fellow student at the Universal College of Medical Sciences. The protesters also damaged journalists’ equipment.
NPU General Secretary Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti said: “The NPU demands immediate action against the attackers and urges the local authorities to ensure safe reporting environment for journalists.”
The IFJ said: “The IFJ expresses concern over the increasing number of attacks on journalists in Nepal and urges the Nepal government to step up to ensure safety to the journalists. The attack on journalists is a violation of press freedom and an attempt to silence journalists and hampers independent journalism.” – IFJ media release
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.