World Press Freedom Day 2022: Nepal records 55 incidents of press freedom violations in a year

“No efforts were made to address impunity relating to crimes against journalists. Justice is awaited both in conflict era and post-conflict cases.”

Journalists stage a protest against new laws that threaten to curb media freedoms.(File photo/AP)

NL Today

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Kathmandu: Nepal has witnessed a decline in incidents of press freedom violations. According to a report made public by Freedom Forum on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, Nepal reported 55 incidents of press freedom violations in the past year (May 3, 2021, to May 2, 2022).

Nepal had reported 88 incidents of press freedom violations in the previous year.

The report mentioned that a total of 96 journalists including seven female journalists were affected across the country during the period. Out of the total affected with the violation this year, 38 were from obstruction/vandalism, followed by 21 from attack and manhandle, 16 from threat, 14 from misbehavior, six from arrest, and one from a court case.

According to Freedom Forum, among the affected, 39 were from online media, 10 from print, six from television, four from radio, one freelance, and 36 from others category that includes news agencies, online televisions and YouTube channels among others.

Bagmati Province and Madhesh Province witnessed the highest number of 36 violations each. It was followed by 12 journalists in Lumbini Province, six in Karnali Province, four journalists in Gandaki Province and two in Province 1. No incidents were recorded from Sudur Paschim Province.

Most of the violations took place while journalists were covering protests and stories regarding public interest/concern issues, crime, irregularities, and corruption, states the report.

Freedom Forum said that no efforts were made to address impunity relating to crimes against journalists. Justice is awaited both in the conflict era and post-conflict cases.