Escalating intimidation of journalists raises alarms across Nepal
KATHMANDU | June 5 : Nepal has dropped 16 places in the World Press Freedom Index 2025, slipping to 90th out of 180 countries, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a stark indicator of the deteriorating state of press freedom in the country. The decline from last year’s 74th position coincides with a surge in incidents of threats, arrests, criminal charges and physical assaults against journalists, documented in recent weeks by Media Action Nepal.
Madhesh Province: Elected officials and locals intimidate reporters
In Siraha, Navin Kumar Yadav, Mayor of Siraha Municipality publicly threatened journalists on social media following coverage of an anti-corruption news story. After the news of the investigation conducted by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) team in the municipality was disseminated on May 26, Yadav took to social media to threaten the journalists, saying, “In what capacity did media write the news? I will not spare them now.”
In Birgunj, cameraperson Raju Baitha of Birgunj City.com was harassed and threatened at his residence on May 18 aroudn 9 PM by a group led by Tait Yadav, apparently angered by his coverage of alleged irregularities in a rural municipality. On May 8, journalist Baitha had reported on land misuse and embankment construction fraud, coverage that provoked threats of physical violence.
Meanwhile, in Dhanusha, journalists Amarkant Thakur of Kantipur Television and Badrinath Jha of Muluk Times Monthly were physically assaulted and had their equipment seized by the chairperson of Mukhiya Patti Musaharniya Rural Municipality, who accused them of entering his office without permission. Hadis Khudar, Media Action Nepal’s Madhesh province coordinator, confirmed that security personnel seized gadgets, including journalists’ mobile phones, and forced them to leave the office on May 18.
Bagmati Province: PCN orders content removal; one editor charged with organized crime, another detained
On May 28, Press Council Nepal (PCN) instructed Diyopost, an online news outlet, to delete a three-year-old story critical of the PCN chair, a move widely criticized as an overreach and contrary to press freedom principles.
On May 25, the Kathmandu District Attorney’s Office filed charges of criminal offense and organized crime against journalist Prakash Chandra Dahal of Nepal Pukar in connection with the pro-royalist protest held in Tinkune, Kathmandu, on March 28. This development is deeply concerning and represents a direct assault on press freedom. Dahal was present at the protest solely in his capacity as a journalist, documenting the event, and was not involved in any violent activity.
On May 16, journalist Sujit K.C., editor of Rastriya Samachar Online, was arrested by Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau for allegedly violating Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act through social media posts critical of a former prime minister. Though later released by order of the Supreme Court, the arrest underscored the increasing misuse of cybercrime laws to silence dissent.
Karnali Province: Police brutality and online threats
In Surkhet, journalists Angaraj Pariyar and Prajwal Chunara of Khulanajar.com were beaten by police team led by Assistant Inspector N.B. Rana while covering a demonstration on May 8. Officers allegedly deleted the footage they had recorded from the sit-in at the High Court gate in Surkhet.
In a separate incident on April 29, Jwalakhabar.com‘s editor Karna Bishwakarma and reporter Khadak Bishwakarma faced online harassment and threats, including phone calls from Raskot Municipality Mayor Dharmaraj Shahi ‘Poshan’, after publishing an investigative story about alleged municipal corruption.
A call to course-correct
Media Action Nepal strongly condemns these attacks and urges state institutions to take immediate corrective measures. Upholding press freedom is not only a constitutional obligation but also a cornerstone of a functioning democracy.
Media Action Nepal strongly condemns these ongoing attacks and urges state institutions to take immediate corrective measures. Upholding press freedom is not only a constitutional obligation but also a cornerstone of a functioning democracy.
Expressing deep concern, Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and Executive Director of Media Action Nepal, described these incidents as part of a troubling pattern of shrinking civic space and increasing impunity for violations of press freedom in Nepal. “Despite constitutional safeguards and democratic commitments, Nepal’s inability to protect journalists and ensure the free flow of information is damaging its international reputation and weakening the foundations of its democracy,” Pant cautioned.
Expressing deep concern, Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and Executive Director of Media Action Nepal, described these incidents as part of a troubling pattern of shrinking civic space and increasing impunity for violations of press freedom in Nepal.