KATHMANDU, July 25: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has called for urgent action after Kishore Shrestha, former Acting Chairman of the Press Council of Nepal and editor-in-chief of Jana Aastha Weekly, received serious death threats. According to the FNJ, an individual named 'Kapil C' claimed to be the secretary of the student organization of CPN Chand and issued the threats.
The incident occurred on 23 July when 'Kapil C' contacted Shrestha via the phone at around 10:00 AM, using extremely abusive language and threatening physical harm. The caller warned Shrestha of killing him and his wife wherever he meets them, and of bombing his house. This threat was followed by an even more alarming event; an armed individual arrived at the Jana Aastha Weekly office in Dhobighat, Sanepa, and demanded Shrestha's presence within an hour. The individual threatened to bomb the office if Shrestha did not comply, also attempting to disrupt the publication of the newspaper.
In response, the FNJ issued a statement condemning these threats and highlighting the gravity of the situation. General Secretary Roshan Puri emphasized that resorting to threats, violence, and intimidation undermines the principles of free speech and journalism. The FNJ's statement called this behavior an attack on the entire field of journalism, stressing that disagreements over news content should be addressed through dialogue, communication, or legal means, rather than through criminal actions.
The FNJ has urged the relevant authorities to take immediate action to identify and apprehend those responsible for these threats. The FNJ stressed the importance of protecting journalists' rights as guaranteed by the constitution and ensuring their safety. The statement also called on all parties to respect the role of journalists and uphold the principles of a free press, urging that the necessary steps be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent such incidents in the future.