Media organizations strongly protested Upadhyaya's allegations against journalists and demanded investigation and appropriate action.
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After Parthivendra Upadhyay, who was on the initial list of candidates from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RASWPA) in the by-election scheduled for Kartik 17 in Ruppandehi-3, seriously criticized the journalists working in the district for not writing news without cash, the active media organization in Ruppandehi drew the attention of the Chief District Officer on Wednesday.
Upadhyay of Siddharthnagar Municipality-7, who is a candidate in the by-elections, while giving his statement at the central office of the party a few days ago, said that journalists working in Rupandehi will not write news without money. He also accused them of "asking for at least 5 thousand rupees" for the news.
"It makes me laugh when I read news written after giving money," he said in a public video through social media, "local media is not necessary." He said that social media is more effective in publicizing party activities than media. In the video, he made various accusations against the journalists of the district. He also expressed that journalists working here will not work.
Media Relations Representatives of 10 different organizations have said that attention has been drawn to Upadhyay's statements aimed at influencing the credibility of the media. They have demanded investigation and action against Upadhyay as he has created confusion about journalism in the society by making serious allegations that all journalists are sold for 5000.
In the attention letter submitted to Chief District Authority Tokaraj Pandey, Ramraj Pokharel, Central Member of Federation of Journalists, Federation Lumbini Province Vice President Ram Prasad Acharya, Federation Rupandehi Branch Treasurer Naresh KC, Press Center Nepal Central Member Ramesh Pokharel, Lumbini Press Club President Kamal Rayamazhi, Press Union District President Kavindra Nepal, Press Chautari Rupandehi President Bhagwati Pandey, Federal Affairs Journalist Society Lumbini Secretary Deepak Ghimire, President of Press Club Hridayram Gupta and District Treasurer of Madhesi Journalist Society Rabindra Gupta have signed.
Similarly, Nepal Journalist Federation Lumbini Province and Rupandehi branch have also expressed their serious attention to the statement made by Upadhyay making baseless accusations against hardworking journalists and the journalism profession.
"The allegations leveled against the journalists and the media world of the entire country are very regrettable, unfounded and objectionable," said the press release issued by Rupandehi branch secretary CP Khanal, "The Federation urges Upadhyay, who has made baseless accusations professionally, to publicly criticize his shortcomings and withdraw the baseless allegations."
