Various state and non-state bodies are found to be responsible for creating problems for the press. It can be either to suppress truth or to establish fear of reporting against the concerned bodies. Nepal is one of the few countries in the world to proclaim ‘total freedom of the press’ in the preamble to its Constitution which is expressed in several fundamental rights, including freedom of opinion and expression along with public access to information and privacy.
“There have been threats to journalists for decades and in the last year alone 82 incidents of attacks on journalists have been reported”, said Bipul Pokharel, Chairperson of Federation of Nepali Journalists during the South Asian consultation on the UN Plan of action on the safety of journalists organized by UNESCO. He further added, “ Journalists are now facing digital harassment more often with the increase in social media usage. There have also been various professional and physical harassment recorded against journalists.”
Sangita Khadka, Chairperson of the Minimum Wage Fixation Committee said, “ The biggest problem for journalists is economic threat”. Journalists are rarely paid in accordance with this salary table. As a result, the profession is financially unrewarding, straining journalists’ independence and their respect for ethics. Many feel demotivated and also become economically unstable to continue this profession.
On the other hand, protection mechanisms for journalists do exist, upheld notably by Press Council Nepal and the National Human Rights Commission but they are quite incapable of offering urgent solutions for reporters in danger. Also many actions have been taken to economically strengthen journalists by both profit and nonprofit organizations.
Various state and non-state bodies are found to be responsible for creating problems for the press. It can be either to suppress truth or to establish fear of reporting against the concerned bodies. Nepal is one of the few countries in the world to proclaim ‘total freedom of the press’ in the preamble to its Constitution which is expressed in several fundamental rights, including freedom of opinion and expression along with public access to information and privacy.
“There have been threats to journalists for decades and in the last year alone 82 incidents of attacks on journalists have been reported”, said Bipul Pokharel, Chairperson of Federation of Nepali Journalists during the South Asian consultation on the UN Plan of action on the safety of journalists organized by UNESCO. He further added, “ Journalists are now facing digital harassment more often with the increase in social media usage. There have also been various professional and physical harassment recorded against journalists.”
Sangita Khadka, Chairperson of the Minimum Wage Fixation Committee said, “ The biggest problem for journalists is economic threat”. Journalists are rarely paid in accordance with this salary table. As a result, the profession is financially unrewarding, straining journalists’ independence and their respect for ethics. Many feel demotivated and also become economically unstable to continue this profession.
On the other hand, protection mechanisms for journalists do exist, upheld notably by Press Council Nepal and the National Human Rights Commission but they are quite incapable of offering urgent solutions for reporters in danger. Also many actions have been taken to economically strengthen journalists by both profit and nonprofit organizations.
