The Federation of Nepali Journalists has expressed its serious concerns over the threats issued to Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, the editor of hamrakura.com portal that broke the story about rape allegations against Krishna Bahadur Mahara. The umbrella body of Nepali journalists said intimidating journalists for doing their job is against press freedom.

“There are legal ways in case there are any disagreements or reservations regarding any news report,” the federation said in a statement on Friday.

Shiwakoti on Thursday said he was being threatened. He also took to Twitter to draw the attention of the ruling and opposition parties, civil society and media to his safety.

The federation demanded that the government take action against those involved in such activities. The umbrella body of journalists appealed to all to honour press freedom and ensure a free environment for journalists to practise their profession. It also urged the government and security bodies to be serious towards the security of journalist Siwakoti.

The federation said that the threats to Siwakoti for writing news about rape allegations against Mahara have dealt a serious blow to investigative journalism.

The federation also condemned threats issued to Radio Nepal journalist Mukunda Bhandari by an unidentified group on Thursday.