Date: May 15, 2026 

The attention of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has been drawn to the continuous character assassination and defamation of former central committee member Dev Kumar Yadav and other journalists by Manoj Kumar Mahato, also known as Manoj Manav, through the production and public distribution of video reels.

According to the FNJ Siraha Chapter, Mahato recently released a video on Facebook making sexual allegations by explicitly naming journalist Yadav. FNJ holds that using technology to damage an individual's social reputation, professional integrity, and character is not only a social crime but also a violation of the rule of law. The Federation condemns this act.

Therefore, FNJ demands that the concerned authorities conduct a fair investigation into this incident and immediately bring the guilty party within the legal framework.

Similarly, the attention of the Federation has been drawn to the physical assault on Dinesh Thapa, Editor of Gandaki Live Dot Com, who was beaten and injured by Saroj Moktan, a cameraperson for the Hit Nepal YouTube channel.

According to the Movie Journalists Association, an associate organization of FNJ, Thapa was brutally assaulted and left bleeding on Thursday, Baisakh 31, while deployed to cover a public event organized in Kathmandu.

The Federation views this attack on a journalist, who was fulfilling the constitutional responsibility of keeping citizens informed, as irresponsible and a direct assault on the dignity of professional journalism.

The Federation strongly demands that the concerned authorities investigate the incident and take legal action against the culprit. Furthermore, it draws the attention of the related parties to remain mindful of professional dignity and responsibilities in the days ahead.

The Federation wishes a speedy recovery to the injured journalist Thapa.

Ram Prasad Dahal

General Secretary