As was in the past years, the space of freedom of expression and press freedom was restricted with growing life-threatening assaults on media outlets and journalists from both state and non-state actors. [break]
The gruesome murder of journalist Yadav Poudel spread shock wave in the national and international media. A total of 147 incidents of press freedom violation occurred in Nepal during this year, states the Press Freedom Monitoring Report-2012 prepared by Freedom Forum, an organization crusading for free press, freedom of expression and right to information.
The government officials, teacher, security as Nepal army and Nepal police, minister´s aides, unknown gang, and others were involved in terrorizing journalists and frustrating atmosphere for free and fair practice of journalism.
Compared to the last year, it is a sharp rise as situation grew remarkably hostile during the months on the eve of the collapse of Constituent Assembly that was supposed to promulgate a new constitution in May 27, 2012, the report reads.
Against last year´s death threats 16, attack 9, and manhandle 16, this year the media faced 23 death threats, 32 attacks and manhandle 23 followed by 23 cases of vandalism and newspaper burning 9.
´In order to have their issues met by the political parties through the Constituent Assembly (CA) on new constitution, the burst of communal, ethnic, regional religious interests during the months on the eve of the May 27 tried to control media limiting free expression´, according to the monitoring report.
Three days- May 20-22, of 2012 remained ´black days´ in the history of Nepali media. In the two weeks (May 8-48, 2012) alone, a total of 88 incidents of press freedom violation occurred in Nepal. ´The rising number of press freedom and freedom of expression violation demonstrates that media is working in hostile atmosphere with increasing challenges from diverse sectors´, said Freedom Forum Chairperson Taranath Dahal.
The state of impunity remained formidable with the government remaining mum on the perpetrators of media freedom. ´The government is reluctant to expedite the cases of slain journalists Dekendra Thapa of Dailekh and Prakash Thakuri of Kanchanpur. It has also not made public the reports of investigation committees formed to probe into the murder case of journalist´.
The report has observed the major trends such as party split in media, media merger, pressure of sectarian/communal interests on media, government financing partisan media organizations, no minimum wages to working journalists, among others, triggering the restriction of free press.
´As such except for the amendment of the national broadcasting regulation thereby opening an avenue for local televisions, reinstatement of two working journalists to their job by the courts and human rights body´s bid to constitute freedom of expression protection taskforce, the government has not taken any substantial steps to improve freedom of expression situation in the country´, Dahal added.
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