KATHMANDU, May 12: Press freedom violations are on the rise in Nepal. According to the report prepared by the Freedom Forum, there has been an increase in press freedom violations during the period of one year from May 2023 to April 2024.

The monitoring report indicates that 60 cases of press freedom violations directly affected 88 journalists during this period. This marks a rise compared to the 40 reported cases in the previous year up to May 3, 2023.

Among the 60 reported violations, there were 21 incidents of physical assaults, seven cases of news-gathering disruption and vandalism, eight instances of verbal abuse, and 22 threats or intimidation. Additionally, two media outlets were attacked and one was vandalized. Furthermore, nine journalists received threatening messages via social media platforms.

Bagmati Province recorded the highest number of incidents (24), followed by 12 press freedom violations in Madhesh Province. According to the Freedom Forum, 11 incidents of press freedom violations were recorded in Koshi Province, seven in Gandaki, three in Lumbini, one in Karnali Province and two in Sudurpaschim Province.  In Bagmati Province alone, 41 male, seven female journalists, and two media houses were affected.

Out of the total number of affected journalists, 24 were serving in online media, 16 were in TV, 13 in print, two on radio and two independent journalists. In most cases, 35 journalists were affected by security personnel, 14 by political activists, 13 by government employees and seven by criminals/gangsters. In addition, 19 journalists were targeted by individuals such as businessmen, locals, and contractors.

Overall, the situation of press freedom was challenging last year due to a surge in cases of violation of press freedom, inaction in law and policy reforms, increasing political influence in journalism, indifference towards impunity related to crimes against journalists, continuous decline in the financial viability of media and heightened risks to the professional safety of journalists, the forum said.

The winter session of the House of Representatives was expected to introduce the long-awaited law to reform the communication sector in Nepal. However, due to the bickering between the political parties, no bill regarding freedom of the press, including information technology and mass media, was brought forward.

Meanwhile, families of journalists victimized by impunity await justice. Ten cases of journalists killed during the conflict remain unresolved before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, while six await investigation, prosecution, and judgment.

Digital media journalists bore the brunt of press freedom violations in the past year, with 34 journalists from 30 online media outlets facing threats, as per the data.

 
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