Miscellaneous
CIAA bars journos from its programme
The CIAA on Tuesday barred journalists from its anniversary celebration, seriously infringing on their right to collect news independently.The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority on Tuesday barred journalists from its anniversary celebration, seriously infringing on their right to collect news independently.
On the occasion of the CIAA establishment day, journalists invited to cover the event at its Tangal-based headquarters were harassed by security forces and denied access to the programme venue citing an “order from above”.
Yam Birahi, journalist with the Annapurna Post daily, Bhadra Sharma of The Kathmandu Post, Durga Dulal of Nagarik daily and many others from TV and radio stations were harassed on the CIAA premises. Police blocked vehicular movement around the CIAA headquarters and those who arrived late due to the police restriction were not allowed to attend the programme.
“I’ve been reporting with special focus on judiciary and anti-corruption for the last 15 years. This is the first time I faced such behaviour at the CIAA,” said Birahi.
When reporters repeatedly sought the reason for restriction, CIAA spokesman Shreedhar Sapkota and other senior officials remained helpless. Sapkota said he was not in a position to do anything for journalists as security officials deployed from the President’s Office were assigned to handle internal security.
President Ram Baran Yadav and heads of constitutional organs attended the meeting. With the appointment of former Chief Secretary Lokman Singh Karki as its chief last year, the CIAA has been adopting an anti-press policy and media’s access to CIAA has been largely undermined.