Journalists targeted as Election Day nears
KATHMANDU | March 2: Media Action Nepal strongly condemns the increasing attacks and threats against journalists in the lead-up to the federal elections scheduled for 5 March 2026. These incidents reflect a disturbing pattern of hostility against the press.
- On 28 February, Sudip Thapa, reporter of Sunrisetvnews.com was physically assaulted in Mitranagar of Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan city in Sudurpashchim Province, sustaining injuries to his eye and head while returning home from work.
- A day earlier (on February 27), Raju Subedi, publisher of Tvannapurna.com, received death threats and abusive messages on social media following his reporting on election-related activities in Baglung district of Gandaki Province, including allegations concerning the involvement of local political leaders in issuing citizenship certificates.
- Similarly, on 26 February, Arjun Acharya of RatoPati.com and executive editor of Hamromat.com was attacked in Jhapa district of Koshi Province, while covering election activities of K. P. Sharma Oli, Chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), despite having been invited by Oli’s secretariat for an interview.
Attacks against journalists in any pretext are not justifiable, said Laxman Datt Pant, Founding Chair of Media Action Nepal. We call on all political parties, candidates, and their cadres to respect press freedom and refrain from intimidating journalists, Pant added.
We call on all political parties, candidates, and their cadres to respect press freedom and refrain from intimidating journalists, Pant added.
Media Action Nepal urges authorities to take prompt action against those responsible and to ensure effective measures are in place to guarantee the safety of journalists throughout the election period.