The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) on Saturday accused the spokesperson of the Indian High Commission here of issuing a threat against the editor of a Nepali broadsheet daily for practising “yellow journalism”.
The umbrella body of journalists condemned the “threat and accusation of yellow journalism.”. “If the embassy had any objection regarding news, it could have made it public at diplomatic level, instead of issuing threat,” the statement said, adding it was an attack of press freedom.
Abhay Kumar, Indian High Commission spokesperson denied issuing any threat. Speaking to The Hindu , he admitted speaking to the Chief Editor of Annapurna Post daily, Yubaraj Ghimire, over news items and editorials. “I asked him why the Post was indulging in yellow journalism vis-à-vis India but I have not threatened him or anyone else,” Mr. Kumar said.
‘Sensational news’“The newspaper has been writing sensational news tarnishing India’s image,” Mr. Kumar said.
He also said that the FNJ was taking sides on the issue. “No one checked with me before issuing the statement.”
When asked, Ujir Magar, the FNJ general secretary, said that he did “call Abhay Kumar once but could not contact the spokesperson”.
