The commission took up the attack in June on Republica´s Biratnagar correspondent Khilanath Dhakal, and the recent remarks of Basnet against Nagarik Daily, amidst mounting pressure on the party to book Parshuram Basnet, who masterminded the attack on Dhakal, and others cadres involved in the incident. [break]
“... Basnet´s public statement has drawn the attention of the commission,” the commission said in a statement on Friday, adding, “The commission expresses its displeasure over the irresponsible and provoking statements against media and indecent behavior toward journalists in recent days.”
The commission´s concern came five days after editors of major newspapers and magazines submitted a memorandum to CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, seeking punishment for Basnet for warning Nagarik daily and its editor Narayan Wagle. CPN-UML was criticized for remaining silent over attack on journalist Dhakal by Parshuram´s men.
In a public speech in Biratnagar last week, the chief of the CPN-UML´s youth wing, Basnet had warned of closing the newspaper and sending Wagle behind bars and had issued threat to police officers investigating the incident.
The commission has also asked the media not to question its commitment to press freedom in light of the incident, stating that anyone who violates existing laws would be investigated and held accountable.
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