Media figures call for release of Himal Editor Kanak Mani Dixit

NEW DELHI: Editors and media figures as well as intellectuals and scholars have called for the release of Himal Editor and prominent Nepali journalist Kanak Mani Dixit who was arrested on April 22 in Katmandu by anti-graft officials.

Kanak Mani Dixit, the widely respected founder-editor of Himal Media was a courageous voice for transparency, freedom of expression and democratic rights in Nepal and across South Asia. The charges are related to alleged corruption but Kanak Dixit says it is part of a vendetta pursued against him by people in Government.

The media figures mentioned that they knew Kanak Dixit as a true professional, human rights defender and energetic journalist whose credentials were built on robust research and tremendous courage. Himal Media, a pioneer in South Asia journalism, has published Himal South Asia, Nepali Times and Himal Khabar Patrika (in the Nepali language).

Kanak Mani Dixit has written extensively for international media including leading newspapers in India and is chairman of Sajha Yatayat, a state run transportation company, which he has been turning around from a loss-making entity.

Kanak Dixit's detention comes at a time of increased pressure on free media across South Asia. The editors called upon all national and international media organisations, individual journalists and editors, defenders of media under pressure, on those who believe in the freedom of expression, to seek Kanak Dixit's immediate release and a fair and transparent trial, free of bias.

(TNT News)