FNJ annual report says 151 journalists and five media outlets attacked during the period
KATHMANDU, May 3: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) recorded 73 incidents of press freedom violations, involving attacks on 151 journalists and five media outlets between May 4, 2024, and April 30, 2025.
Hostility to media continues even as instances of press freedom...
FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal reported that assailants killed two journalists during this period. The FNJ also documented 16 cases of professional insecurity. FNJ strongly condemned the threats, arrests, and abuse targeting journalists, calling them direct attacks on democracy.
Marking World Press Freedom Day today, FNJ released the data. The global observance of the day began after a 1991 journalist conference in Windhoek, Namibia, issued a declaration in favor of press freedom. UNESCO proposed observing the day annually from 1993, a proposal later endorsed by the United Nations.
The FNJ expressed deep concern over recent incidents, including the killing of journalist Suresh Rajak during a violent protest in Tinkune, Kathmandu, on March 28. Protesters also torched media offices and assaulted journalists. FNJ condemned the abuse of journalist Sabina Karki while she was covering a teachers' protest. It also criticized a local government chief for threatening physical violence and subjecting journalist Gopal Dahal of Gharana to psychological harassment, forcing him to flee.
