KATHMANDU, May 4: Press freedom in Nepal has witnessed a troubling downturn over the past year, with the killing of two journalists and a spike in violations targeting media professionals, according to the Annual Press Freedom Report 2025 released by Freedom Forum Nepal.
Covering the period from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025, the report documents 68 incidents of press freedom violations that directly affected 88 journalists—including 77 men and 11 women—and eight media outlets. This marks an increase from the 60 violations recorded the previous year, though the number of affected journalists remained the same.
Among the most alarming findings was the death of photojournalist Suresh Rajak, who was burnt alive while covering a protest in Kathmandu on March 28, 2025. Rajak, affiliated with Avenues Television, was documenting demonstrations in Tinkune when he got trapped in a building set on fire. On the same day, other journalists including Dinesh Gautam of Onlinekhabar and Rajesh Gurung of The Himalayan Times were brutally assaulted, and offices and vehicles belonging to major outlets like Kantipur, Annapurna Post, and Himalaya Television were attacked.
Another disturbing case was the murder of journalist Suresh Bhul in Dhangadhi. Although Bhul’s status as a journalist was initially disputed, his reporting on transparency, threats received and links to local media point to his clear role in journalism. Despite this, the case received minimal attention, exposing the growing impunity surrounding crimes against journalists.
The report highlights that journalists reporting on corruption and irregularities, especially at the local level, faced significant risk. Nineteen journalists, including three women, were targeted for such coverage. Meanwhile, those covering crime (33 journalists), politics (11), and infrastructure (8) also faced frequent intimidation.
Safeguarding Press Freedom with Urgency and Conviction
A major portion of the violence came from political actors, with 29 journalists assaulted or threatened by party leaders and their cadres, followed by 15 journalists harassed by public employees. Another 29 journalists were targeted by businesspersons, locals, and contractors, indicating that both state and non-state actors pose threats to press freedom in Nepal.
Notably, 21 journalists, including three women, were attacked while covering protests, reaffirming that public demonstrations continue to be dangerous assignments for media professionals.
Freedom Forum warns that these trends indicate a shrinking civic space in Nepal. Despite the formal commitments by political parties to uphold press freedom, the disparity between rhetoric and reality is stark, as journalists continue to face hostility on the ground, particularly from local political operatives.
The report also criticizes the lack of progress in media legislation. Although the Media Council Bill was registered in the House of Representatives in February 2025 after being approved by the National Assembly, other key reforms, such as an integrated Mass Communication Bill, have stalled.
Meanwhile, the financial crisis plaguing media houses, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to erode journalistic integrity and sustainability. The rise of digital media—with over 5,000 online outlets registered—has not been accompanied by improvements in regulation, infrastructure, or capacity building.
The report underscores the growing menace of disinformation, misinformation, and media co-option, which are eroding public trust in journalism. Public officials and online influencers frequently discredit journalists, further emboldening anti-press elements.
Additionally, while artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential to aid media work, its unregulated use and lack of digital literacy pose new challenges. The lack of AI preparedness is leaving Nepal’s press vulnerable to content manipulation and job insecurity.
Freedom Forum in its report has called for urgent, coordinated action among all stakeholders to address the deepening press freedom crisis in Nepal. Emphasizing the need for a holistic approach, the organization recommends sustained capacity building for journalists, particularly in ensuring their physical safety during protests and other high-risk assignments.
It also highlights the importance of updating and enforcing media laws and digital policies that reflect the changing information landscape. The report stresses that state agencies and political actors must demonstrate a stronger commitment to safeguarding a free press, both in word and deed. Ending the culture of impunity surrounding crimes against journalists is another critical priority.
Furthermore, in the face of rapid digital disruption and rising populist pressures, Freedom Forum advocates for targeted efforts to skill, reskill, and upskill journalists so they can continue to operate effectively and ethically in a volatile media environment.
