The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has condemned the mistreatment of Rakesh Nepali, Udaypur correspondent for Kantipur Publications, during the municipal convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on Saturday.

The incident occurred at Hotel Empire Inn in ward 3 of Triyuga Municipality, where the RSP held its municipal-level gathering. During the event, RSP leader Sarina Tamang allegedly obstructed journalist Nepali from photographing and filming the programme and attempted to snatch his camera.

FNJ described the act as a violation of press freedom and an unacceptable interference in journalistic duty.

In a statement signed by FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal, the federation strongly denounced the obstruction and called on authorities to take legal action against Tamang. The statement also urged concerned bodies to ensure the professional safety of journalists reporting from the field.

“The RSP’s act of inviting journalists to the programme only to obstruct and mistreat them is highly objectionable and an assault on press freedom,” the federation said.

The incident has also drawn condemnation from other FNJ chapters and journalist organisations. FNJ’s Province Committee, its Udaypur chapter, the National Dalit Journalists Association’s central and provincial committees, and other journalist unions have issued separate statements criticising the RSP’s conduct and expressing solidarity with journalist Nepali.

The organisations collectively urged all political parties and stakeholders to create an environment where journalists can freely exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to press freedom and freedom of expression without fear or interference.

They have also called on political actors to refrain from behaviour that demoralises media personnel or obstructs news collection.