President Paudel for fearless journalism

President Ram Chandra Paudel, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May, expressed that Nepal’s media will continue to work fearlessly to protect the rights enshrined in the Constitution.

In his message, President Paudel said the media must stay courageous and committed to telling the truth. He urged all three branches of the government to act responsibly and ensure that the public receives accurate information.

He appreciated Nepali press for its key role in ending autocratic rule and helping to establish a federal democratic republic. Democracy is essential for free journalism, and press freedom is at the heart of it, he added.

President Paudel said that press freedom not only benefits journalists but also helps citizens exercise their right to information. A free press promotes transparency, accountability, and the overall growth of democracy, he mentioned.

The Constitution of the country fully protects press freedom and the right to share information without fear, he underscored.

Various organizations actively performing in the sector of press freedom and journalists’ rights, have released annual reports on press freedom on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.    

Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), in a report, mentions that altogether 73 anti-press incidents took place in Nepal in the last one year.  

FNJ’s Media Monitoring Unit says that a total of 151 journalists and five media houses were intimidated last year from May 4, 2024 to April 30, 2025.   

Two journalists were murdered during this period and 16 cases of professional insecurity among the media professionals during this period, according to the FNJ report.     

The FNJ authority, in this context, mentions that some journalists were at the receiving end of threat, manhandling and ill-treatment as well. Moreover, FNJ considers such anti-press activities as a serious attack on democracy.

Meanwhile, Freedom Forum, the other influential media organization, released an annual press freedom report named ‘Year of Journalists’ Killings: Press Freedom in Peril’ on Friday, 2nd May.    

The FF report says, the trends shaping last year’s press freedom were: “Increased violation of press freedom with growing physical attacks, widening economic pressure in media with retrenchment on rise, little progress in lawmaking and media reform, information disorder, horrible incident after a decade- killing of an on-duty journalist turning federal capital itself into the most hostile place for free press and journalist, impunity left ignored, underreporting of public concern for lack of effective media presence, and rising intolerance towards media with discredit.”    

The report prepared by monitoring and analyzing the anti-press data from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 stressed the urgency of robust media along with respect to press freedom and thriving media profession where favorable law and tolerant public spheres are ensured.

Similarly, Media Action Nepal made public a report on May 2, 2025 in Kathmandu. It mentions that Nepal witnessed a deeply troubling series of press freedom and freedom of expression violations, with 32 documented incidents affecting 40 journalists, individuals and media houses.

These violations spanned five key areas: killings (2 incidents, 2 killed), arrests (3 incidents, 6 arrested), information blockages (3 incidents, 5 affected), equipment seizures (2 incidents, 3 affected), and threats (22 incidents, 24 threatened), according a report published by

The pattern of these violations points to a systemic erosion of journalistic safety and freedom, with journalists and media houses increasingly targeted for performing their constitutionally protected duties, the report said.

Two killings were at the center of this grim period: journalist Suresh Bhul was killed by a violent crowd, and Suresh Rajak was brutally attacked and burnt during a pro-monarchy protest on March 28, 2025. Rajak’s death, in particular, sent shockwaves through Nepal’s media landscape as it highlighted the increasing risks for journalists covering political unrest.

Arrests were carried out in politically sensitive contexts, such as protests involving youth activists and reporters covering cultural issues. Bijay Shah’s arrest for cultural reporting, and two other arrests for contempt of court, illustrate how legal instruments are being used to silence critical voices.

Three well-known media institutions, Kantipur Publications, Annapurna Post, and Samadhan Daily, were also directly targeted, the report says.  This points to an institutional dimension of media suppression where not only individual journalists but also media outlets as a whole are subjected to pressure, often through targeted surveillance, obstruction, or direct attacks, according to the report. Such incidents weaken the role of the press as a watchdog and hinder the operational independence of media house. The report states that government must enact and enforce robust legal protections for journalists. This includes amending the Media Council Bill and the proposed Social Media Bill to remove vague and punitive provisions that curtail freedom of expression. Laws should align with international press freedom and FoE standards, and explicitly guarantee journalists’ rights to report without fear of retaliation.

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2025, Media Action Nepal has launched its Annual Press Freedom Report titled “From Intimidation to Impunity: Rising Threats against Media in Nepal” on May 2, 2025, amid a public function held in Kathmandu. The report, which comprehensively documents violations of press freedom and freedom of expression (FoE) from May 4, 2024, to May 1, 2025, was jointly released by LaxmanDatt Pant, founder and executive director of Media Action Nepal, Dr. Suresh Acharya, chief Information commissioner of the National Information Commission, Priyanka Jha, chairperson of Media Action Nepal and Nirmala Sharma, chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.

Speaking at the launch, Media Action Nepal’s Founding Chair and the Executive Director LaxmanDatt Pant remarked, “This year’s findings expose a distressing and deepening crisis in Nepal’s media landscape. The report paints a grave picture of escalating threats faced by journalists. These violations not only endanger individual journalists but erode the very foundation of democracy.”

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing. Special commemorations of the 30th anniversary are planned to take place during World Press Freedom Day International Conference.

May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.

Press Freedom Day highlights the fundamental principles of press freedom, which is observed annually on May 3. It gives people chance to think about how important free media are to the society.

The public must be informed of the truth by the media. But, they frequently face difficulties in conducting their duties, in the form of threats, violence and restrictions. It is critical that both the public and the government understand this and make an environment that encourages journalists and the press to carry out their responsibilities in the most moral manner possible. 

Press Freedom Day is observed annually to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by journalists and the tasks they perform to maintain the smooth flow of information. Additionally, it serves as a reminder that being a journalist is not an easy job.

World Press Freedom Day is significant for bringing attention to the significance of press freedom in a society. Its purpose is to guarantee that the general public has access to information and that the government respects the people’s right to free speech. 

This day also aims to bring attention to the difficulties that journalists and media organisations all over the world face, such as threats, censorship, and violence.