73 Press Freedom Violations Reported in Nepal Over Past Year

Marking World Press Freedom Day, media watchdog organizations in Nepal have released annual reports highlighting a concerning rise in violations against press freedom.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) recorded 73 incidents of press freedom violations between May 4, 2024, and April 30, 2025. According to FNJ’s Media Monitoring Unit, 151 journalists and five media outlets faced intimidation during this period. Two journalists lost their lives, and at least 16 others faced professional insecurity.

FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal condemned the murder of journalist Suresh Rajak in Tinkune on March 28 and acts of vandalism targeting media houses. The organization also decried the assault on journalist Sabina Karki during recent protests by teachers in Kathmandu and threats that forced Dharan-based journalist Gopal Dahal into displacement.

“These attacks are not just against individuals—they are direct threats to democracy,” Dahal stated.

Meanwhile, Freedom Forum (FF), another media rights group, released a report titled “Year of Journalists’ Killings: Press Freedom in Peril.” The report cites 68 press freedom violations involving 88 journalists (77 men and 11 women) and eight media houses. The data shows a rise from the previous year’s 60 incidents, underlining deteriorating conditions for media freedom.

Freedom Forum warned of an increasingly hostile environment for journalists, particularly in the federal capital, where an on-duty journalist was recently killed—a first in over a decade. The organization cited growing physical attacks, economic pressure on media houses, stalled reforms, and increasing public intolerance toward the press.

Both FNJ and Freedom Forum emphasized the urgent need for stronger legal protections, greater public support, and a safer environment for media to operate freely and independently.

World Press Freedom Day, observed globally on May 3 since 1993, commemorates the 1991 Windhoek Declaration for press freedom and serves as a call to action for safeguarding the rights of journalists worldwide.