KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) today organised various programmes in Kathmandu and reviewed the state of press freedom throughout the year, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. Wreaths were laid at the memorial of journalists who died while working in the field of press and freedom of expression.
[caption id="attachment_22805" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
A woman lays a wreath on the memorial of journalists in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo courtesy: Prakash Chandra Timilsena/Facebook[/caption]
The Nepali journalism sector is still unsatisfactory from a security standpoint. Both physical assault and occupational insecurity have put journalists at risk. According to the FNJ’s Communication Monitoring Unit, more than 300 complaints have been lodged this year alleging lack of professional security for journalists, while 75 incidents of violation of press freedom took place.
According to FNJ, the highest incidence of violation of press freedom seems to be in Bagmati Province. There have been 54 such incidents, which reflect the state of press freedom in Bagmati. Likewise, in Province 1 and Madhes Province, there have been six incidents of harassment each. Similarly, five such incidents have been reported in Karnali and two each in Lumbini and Gandaki. However, in Sudurpaschim Province, no incidents of harassment have been reported. As many as 272 journalists and nine media houses have been affected by these 75 incidents of violation of press freedom. Out of 272 journalists, 33 women have been victimised. According to FNJ records of the previous year, there were 45 incidents of attacks on press freedom and a total of 584 journalists and three media outlets were affected by those incidents. Out of 584 journalists, 77 were women.
[caption id="attachment_22806" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
Visitors are seen at a photo exhibition held on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo courtesy: Prakash Chandra Timilsena/Facebook[/caption]
Likewise, three journalists have been arrested this year while 29 journalists have been attacked, abused and threatened. Similarly, 31 journalists were suffering from professional insecurity. Similarly, attempts have been made three times to restrict the freedom of press by making laws. Based on the above statistics, it can be said that the press in Nepal is still not in a position to be satisfied with the issues of professional and physical security.
The country is practising federalism on the basis of the constitution made through the Constituent Assembly (CA). The laws related to the press being drafted at three levels are not in line with the essence of the constitution, according to FNJ.
FNJ President Bipul Pokhrel said, “It is our responsibility to take the press freedom movement to new heights by uniting the entire civil society in favour of press freedom. FNJ and the proponents of press freedom need to stand together. It is felt that our state is still intolerant towards press freedom.” “The state is not yet ready to carry on with the law-making process that has been postponed due to conflict. We are still under pressure to amend the provisions of the recently amended Broadcasting Regulations. These developments show that we still have to be very vigilant on the issue of press freedom,” he added.
Pokhrel said, "The situation in Nepal will also be discussed in the interactions on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.” He was confident that the proponents of freedom of press and expression would draw the attention of state structures as well as stakeholders to improve this situation.
The FNJ President viewed that freedom of the press is also essential for the realisation of the constitutional rights of citizens to be informed.
As the country is holding elections, the mentality of using journalists during elections has also been witnessed. Rejecting such an offer risks physical and mental attacks on the journalists. Hence, the FNJ President Pokhrel stressed the need for all parties to be vigilant in this regard.
He was of the view that the press should also play a role in conducting the election in a fair, fearless and enthusiastic manner by adhering to the Code of Conduct for Journalists and the Election Code of Conduct and inspiring other parties to abide by the Election Code of Conduct.
“The press needs to be accountable and dignified in order to elevate the press freedom movement and journalists also need to commit themselves in the direction of enhancing their social trust by following the established code of ethics and journalism,” said Pokhrel.
“We should all be inspired to work for the good of the nation and society through journalism, fearlessly standing up for freedom of press and expression,” said Pokhrel.
READ ALSO:
A woman lays a wreath on the memorial of journalists in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo courtesy: Prakash Chandra Timilsena/Facebook[/caption]
The Nepali journalism sector is still unsatisfactory from a security standpoint. Both physical assault and occupational insecurity have put journalists at risk. According to the FNJ’s Communication Monitoring Unit, more than 300 complaints have been lodged this year alleging lack of professional security for journalists, while 75 incidents of violation of press freedom took place.
According to FNJ, the highest incidence of violation of press freedom seems to be in Bagmati Province. There have been 54 such incidents, which reflect the state of press freedom in Bagmati. Likewise, in Province 1 and Madhes Province, there have been six incidents of harassment each. Similarly, five such incidents have been reported in Karnali and two each in Lumbini and Gandaki. However, in Sudurpaschim Province, no incidents of harassment have been reported. As many as 272 journalists and nine media houses have been affected by these 75 incidents of violation of press freedom. Out of 272 journalists, 33 women have been victimised. According to FNJ records of the previous year, there were 45 incidents of attacks on press freedom and a total of 584 journalists and three media outlets were affected by those incidents. Out of 584 journalists, 77 were women.
[caption id="attachment_22806" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Visitors are seen at a photo exhibition held on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo courtesy: Prakash Chandra Timilsena/Facebook[/caption]
Likewise, three journalists have been arrested this year while 29 journalists have been attacked, abused and threatened. Similarly, 31 journalists were suffering from professional insecurity. Similarly, attempts have been made three times to restrict the freedom of press by making laws. Based on the above statistics, it can be said that the press in Nepal is still not in a position to be satisfied with the issues of professional and physical security.
The country is practising federalism on the basis of the constitution made through the Constituent Assembly (CA). The laws related to the press being drafted at three levels are not in line with the essence of the constitution, according to FNJ.
FNJ President Bipul Pokhrel said, “It is our responsibility to take the press freedom movement to new heights by uniting the entire civil society in favour of press freedom. FNJ and the proponents of press freedom need to stand together. It is felt that our state is still intolerant towards press freedom.” “The state is not yet ready to carry on with the law-making process that has been postponed due to conflict. We are still under pressure to amend the provisions of the recently amended Broadcasting Regulations. These developments show that we still have to be very vigilant on the issue of press freedom,” he added.
Pokhrel said, "The situation in Nepal will also be discussed in the interactions on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.” He was confident that the proponents of freedom of press and expression would draw the attention of state structures as well as stakeholders to improve this situation.
The FNJ President viewed that freedom of the press is also essential for the realisation of the constitutional rights of citizens to be informed.
As the country is holding elections, the mentality of using journalists during elections has also been witnessed. Rejecting such an offer risks physical and mental attacks on the journalists. Hence, the FNJ President Pokhrel stressed the need for all parties to be vigilant in this regard.
He was of the view that the press should also play a role in conducting the election in a fair, fearless and enthusiastic manner by adhering to the Code of Conduct for Journalists and the Election Code of Conduct and inspiring other parties to abide by the Election Code of Conduct.
“The press needs to be accountable and dignified in order to elevate the press freedom movement and journalists also need to commit themselves in the direction of enhancing their social trust by following the established code of ethics and journalism,” said Pokhrel.
“We should all be inspired to work for the good of the nation and society through journalism, fearlessly standing up for freedom of press and expression,” said Pokhrel.
READ ALSO:
Published Date: May 3, 2022, 12:00 am
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