Nepali Media Under Siege: Journalists Injured, Billions in Damage
KATHMANDU| September 18: In the wake of escalating attacks on the media, Media Action Nepal (MAN) conducted a ground monitoring mission in Kathmandu on September 17, led by its Founding Chairperson, Laxman Datt Pant. The mission team included Mim Bahadur Pariyar, Vice Chairperson and Ajay Maharjan, Documentation Assistant. The assessment revealed that recent demonstrations have not only targeted major media houses but also inflicted grave harm on journalists and caused damage amounting to billions of rupees, an unbearable loss to the media fraternity and to democracy itself.
Media Action Nepal stands in solidarity with the work of media professionals and journalists and condemns in the strongest terms these attacks on media houses in Kathmandu and across Nepal.
During intensive conversations with media owners, editors, and reporters, Media Action Nepal found clear evidence of deliberate and targeted assaults on media institutions. Leading outlets—including Kantipur Media Group (KMG), Annapurna Media Network (NMN), Thaha Sanchar, and the state-owned broadcaster Nepal Television—suffered devastating destruction mainly on September 9, the second day of the protest in Kathmandu and across Nepal. The attacks left journalists injured, newsrooms vandalized, and essential infrastructure crippled.
On the very first day of the demonstrations in Baneshwor—outside the Federal Parliament Building, where the main protest was staged—many journalists sustained injuries while covering the protest. Several were caught in clashes between protesters and security forces, facing baton charges, tear gas, and even direct assaults, underscoring the extreme risks faced by journalists in the line of duty.
While private-sector media outlets have consistently exposed deep-rooted corruption, often echoing the concerns and demands of the protesting Gen-Z movement, the targeted attacks—particularly against KMG—raise troubling questions. In conversations with Media Action Nepal, KMG Chair Kailash Sirohiya, along with Chief-Editors Umesh Chauhan (Kantipur Daily), Biswas Baral (The Kathmandu Post), and Bijay Paudel (Kantipur Television), emphasized that the assaults were likely orchestrated by vested interest groups—not the Gen-Z demonstrators—pointing to a calculated attempt to exploit the protests and retaliate against the media for fulfilling its watchdog role.
KMG Devastated, Journalists Injured, Millions in Property Damaged
KMG’s office in Thapathali has been completely destroyed, with all infrastructure—including the newsrooms of its two dailies, Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post—reduced to rubble. Operations have been temporarily relocated to the severely damaged Kantipur Television Complex in Tinkune, where key infrastructure such as buildings, studios, and vehicles have also been devastated. Broadcasting and online editions were forced to halt for several days, and the outlets are now functioning from makeshift studios and ground-level newsrooms. Despite this unprecedented and targeted assault, editors and reporters continue their work with remarkable resilience and high morale.
On September 9, protesters vandalized and set fire to the print office of Kantipur Media Group (KMG) in Thapathali, as well as the offices of Kantipur TV and Kantipur Radio in Tinkune. According to KMG Chairman Kailash Sirohiya, the extent of losses has not yet been fully calculated but is estimated to be in the millions.
Cameraperson Shyam Shrestha sustained an arm injury from gunfire while recording at the Parliament. Kantipur Television journalists Bijay Poudel, Rupesh Shrestha, and Narayan Kilambu were also attacked and injured. The private residence and vehicles of KMG Chairman Kailash Sirohiya were also torched by protesters.
Kantipur Daily has temporarily relocated from its damaged Thapathali office to Tinkune, where journalists continue to work despite the destruction. KMG has demanded a high-level investigation by the concerned authorities and urged the state to guarantee press freedom.
Chairman Sirohiya emphasized that the Gen-Z protesters were not directly responsible for the attack, but rather that certain vested interest groups have repeatedly targeted Kantipur. “At this moment, we are unable to fully assess the scale of destruction caused by the arson and vandalism—but the losses clearly run into millions,” Sirohiya added.
Bijay Paudel, Chief Editor of Kantipur Television, narrated the incident “After 72 hours of silence, Kantipur Television returned to live broadcasting—straight from a burned-out studio where I myself went on air. Our entire office was destroyed, servers went down, and the damage has been immense. It took us 48 hours just to bring e-kantipur back online; until then, we relied on our social media platforms to update the public.”
Umesh Chauhan, Chief Editor of Kantipur Daily, observed, “Even though our digital servers were down, we did not let the print die—we managed to publish Kantipur Daily even on the day of the attacks.” The attack on Kantipur cannot be seen in isolation—institutions of accountability like the Supreme Court and the CIAA were also targeted, with corruption-related files destroyed. This raises serious questions about who truly benefited from the violence, Chauhan added.
The attack on Kantipur cannot be seen in isolation—institutions of accountability like the Supreme Court and the CIAA were also targeted, with corruption-related files destroyed. This raises serious questions about who truly benefited from the violence.
Biswas Baral, Chief Editor of The Kathmandu Post, noted that KMG has consistently exposed major corruption cases, which is precisely why the newspaper was targeted. He condemned the repeated assaults as a direct attack on press freedom. “We did feel unsafe and fearful at first, but our confidence was restored once outlets resumed,” Baral added.
Targeted Attacks Force Annapurna Express Closure
The Gen-Z protest in Kathmandu on September 8 led to serious incidents of vandalism targeting mainstream media houses in the capital. Narrating the September 9 attack, a security guard of Annapurna Media Network (AMN) said a group of protesters set fire to the media house’s main gateway. The English outlet of AMN, The Annapurna Express, along with Annapurna FM on the sixth floor of the building, was set ablaze. The office of the management department was also damaged.
In addition to the newsroom assault, the private residences of Annapurna Media Network (AMN) Chairman Rameshwor Thapa in Kavre district and Kathmandu, along with his vehicles, were set on fire and vandalized by protesters. Thapa continues to receive threats from known individuals, creating a climate of fear not only for him but also for his family and colleagues. These repeated attacks raise serious concerns about the personal safety of media owners and heighten uncertainty over the sustainability of independent media outlets in Nepal.
Although no reporting staff were injured and no vehicles were damaged, the targeted assault on the sixth floor newsroom of the English daily the Annapurna Express forced the newspaper to shut down, with its September 9 edition becoming the last to be published.
Recounting the incident, Editor Kamal Dev Bhattarai said the attack appeared to have been organized by vested interest groups. He further noted that Annapurna Media Network (AMN) has now been attacked twice within four months, underscoring the urgency for a credible, state-led investigation. “Since September 9, The Annapurna Express has not been published, and its resumption remains uncertain in the aftermath of this attack,” Bhattarai added. He described the assault on his newsroom on the sixth floor of the AMN building in Tinkune as devastating.
“The incident has left me in deep stress and trauma,” he shared with Media Action Nepal. It has shaken me to the point that I find myself questioning my two-decade-long career in journalism. Bhattarai condemned the state’s inaction in the aftermath of repeated attacks on the media, “The consistent targeting of media houses and the state’s failure to investigate and punish perpetrators leaves us nowhere. Continuous impunity has only fueled these incidents, and unless immediate action is taken, they will keep repeating.”
The consistent targeting of media houses and the state’s failure to investigate and punish perpetrators leaves us nowhere. Continuous impunity has only fueled these incidents, and unless immediate action is taken, they will keep repeating
Bhattarai added that such conditions make it nearly impossible for journalism to function, “We cannot work, and journalism cannot thrive in the absence of safety. Without protection for journalists, the very foundation of a free press is under threat.”
Annapurna Post’s Ajabi Poudel reported facing extreme fear while covering the protest. Several journalists at AMN are now experiencing psychological fear.
While the actual losses may rise further, Annapurna Media Network (AMN) has already estimated damages of around 30 million Nepali rupees at its Tinkune building, including destroyed office infrastructure, newsroom equipment, furniture, servers and archives.
Attacks at Thaha Sanchar leave reporters working under fear and stress
Thahakhabar.com, an online news portal, and Radio Thaha Sanchar’s buildings in Babarmahal and Baneshwor were attacked by vested interest individuals during the second day of the Gen-Z protests. The assaults caused damages estimated at nearly 3 million Nepali rupees, including property destruction and damage to vehicles. These attacks have instilled a climate of fear among the journalists and reporters, leaving many working under extreme stress and psychological pressure.
Speaking to Media Action Nepal during the monitoring, Narendra Sapkota, News Chief of Thahakhabar.com, emphasized that these were deliberate attacks on independent media and called for an immediate state-led investigation to ensure a safe working environment. “We call on our colleagues, both within Nepal and internationally, to engage our teams in safety awareness and training programs. We have observed that many of our journalists have not been able to prioritize their safety—learning how to handle demonstrators, evacuate during emergencies, and report to the public with credibility is crucial,” Sapkota added.
These were deliberate attacks on independent media, an immediate state-led investigation should be carried out to ensure a safe working environment.
Reporters Shyam Rai, Dharma Raj Bhatta, and Sanju Blon, who covered the September 8–9 protests, echoed the dangerous reality faced by journalists on the ground. They stressed that basic safety equipment—such as protective jackets and helmets—along with proper safety training, must be provided to reporters covering demonstrations. The journalists highlighted that without these measures, reporting in volatile situations not only puts their lives at risk but also undermines the ability of the media to provide accurate and timely coverage to the public.
Nepal Television Suffers Major Damage, Vehicles and Equipment Vandalized
Buildings and properties belonging to the state-owned Nepal Television and Radio Nepal under the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) were also damaged by protesters inside Singha Durbar on September 9. Equipment including TV sets, computers, microphones, and even some of the oldest cameras were looted, while dozens of vehicles—including Outdoor Broadcasting (OB) vans—were smashed. Several rooms were also vandalized. Although broadcasting has not been halted, these attacks have created a climate of fear among staff and journalists.
Speaking to Media Action Nepal, Dr. Mahendra Bista, PSB Chairperson condemned the attacks, calling them “completely unacceptable” and stressing the need for an immediate state-led investigation. The losses are in the millions, and it is imperative that the perpetrators are identified, investigated, and punished, Dr. Bista said.
The losses are in the millions, and it is imperative that the perpetrators are identified, investigated.
Attacks on public service media not only threaten the safety of staff but also undermine the trust and credibility of institutions that serve the public. Such incidents must be addressed without delay, Bista added. This incident has particularly alerted us to the individual safety of our staff and we are committed to engaging more actively in safety initiatives and training to ensure journalists can work without fear.
Media Action Nepal calls on authorities to investigate attacks, book perpetrators
Media Action Nepal’s findings underscore a crisis of press freedom in Nepal, where repeated acts of violence not only silence journalists but also erode public trust, weaken democratic institutions, and set back years of progress.
Media Action Nepal condemns these attacks on media houses. Laxman Datt Pant, the Founding chairperson stressed that these deliberate assaults—leaving journalists injured, properties destroyed, and fear pervasive—represent a direct attack on press freedom and a serious assault on democracy itself. “Recovery will take years, and the suffering of journalists and the media fraternity is already immense,” Pant added.
Pant shared that citizens must respect media as a pillar of democracy and play their part in safeguarding independent journalism. “The interim government should immediately investigate these attacks, hold perpetrators accountable, and end the culture of impunity that allows such assaults to continue,” Pant demanded.
The interim government should immediately investigate these attacks, hold perpetrators accountable, and end the culture of impunity that allows such assaults to continue, Pant demanded.
Pant, urged prompt compensation for affected media houses and called for the creation of a safe working environment where journalists can perform their duties without fear.