Lawmakers express solidarity with journalists' protest

Lawmakers of various political parties expressed solidarity with the journalists who staged sit-in in front of the Constituent Assembly (CA) hall on Wednesday to protest against the series of assault on media.
The lawmakers of the parties including main opposition Nepali Congress (NC), ruling CPN-UML, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekta Party have demanded the government's view on the recent attack on Himalmedia, a prominent media house, on Sunday.
Saying that the attack on Himalmedia is deplorable, Maoist CA member Posta Bahadur Bogati informed that Prime Minster Pushpa Kamal Dahal has already directed to initiate the process for taking legal action against the guilty.
NC's Gagan Thapa said that it is unfortunate to come up a situation in which the mediapersons, who provide the people with information, have to take to the streets against the government elected by the people.
Saying that the Maoist-led government has also repeated the style of former King Gyanendra, the NC lawmaker demanded the government's view on the attack on press.
TMLP lawmaker Hirdayesh Tripathi said that his party is ready to take any kind of movement if the press freedom is affected.In a memorandum submitted to the lawmakers, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) have demanded serious attention saying that the attack on press have obstructed the institutional development of republic, new constitution writing process, lasting peace and the professional and personnel security of the journalists.
Stating that the escalation of attacks on Media is regrettable, the FNJ has urged the lawmakers to take initiatives to free the country from the cycle of impunity.Protesting against the attack on Himalmedia, the journalists staged demonstrations at various districts including Bhaktapur, Dolakha, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Morang and Rautahat among other districts today.
In some of the places, the journalists staged sit-in at the district administration offices tying black bands in their mouths.On Sunday, Maoist affiliated trade union workers barged into the Hattiban-based office of Himalmedia and attacked journalists and property, leaving around a dozen staffers injured.

source : www.ekantipur.com