Nepali media at receiving end of unrest in 2025 with 114 press freedom violations

Kathmandu, Dec 31: The incidents against media houses and journalists witnessed a sharp rise in the last year, 2025, largely owing to unrests. As many as 114 press freedom violations were recorded last year where 35 violations occurred during the Gen Z movement alone, according to an annual media monitoring report. 

In the total 114 anti-press incidents, 139 media persons were directly affected where 13 percent were female and 87 percent male journalists. 

The year-end report on Nepali media prepared by a civil society organization, Freedom Forum, painted an upsetting picture of Nepali media, arguing that press freedom violations increased in the wake of two major protests occurred - the first one in March and the second in September - while law-making on media freedom and journalists' rights was disrupted; financial crisis worsened to media and misinformation and disinformation polluted information ecosystem. 

"It is worrying to see increasing intimidations to media and journalists which devote to bring to fore issues of public concern and help build good governance," observed Executive Chief at FF, Taranath Dahal, expressing hope that once the stable politics is ensured with democratic values in place, it helps build atmosphere favourable to media and journalists' rights.

As per the report, the number of anti-press incident is the highest in five years. As many as 22 media houses faced attacks in 2025. It was indeed the most adverse time for media, as they faced arson and vandalism, especially during the unrest. "Around 12 television channels' broadcast was disrupted and 38 media persons' vehicles and properties destroyed in these incidents," the report said, pointing out urgency of insurance to journalists and their equipment.

The report has categorized the data as per violation types, province distribution and the hostile elements as well. Highest number of press freedom violation was threat of physical attack and of life, 38; misbehaviors and obstruction on reporting 23; and court cases against 7 journalists. Seven journalists were injured in arson attack on media houses.

A photojournalist at Avenues Television, Suresh Rajak, died in a fire set at a building by the protestors on March 28, 2025. Rajak was reporting live the pro-monarchy group's protest at Tinkune of Kathmandu from the nearby building. As the protestors set the building on fire, Rajak could not escape, but succumbed to burn injury. 

"Twenty-two media persons, including three females- were attacked while covering the Gen Z movement in different places. Out of 22, three photojournalists and a reporter- were seriously injured in the security firing," the report documented, adding that two injured journalists- Dipendra Dhungana and Shambhu Dangal- are recovering and have not yet been able resume journalism fully. 

Importantly, out of the total affected media persons in 114 incidents, the highest- 68 journalists- were associated with online media.

The report observed positively the National Human Rights Commission getting active for the protection and promotion of freedom of expression and journalists' rights.

Executive Chief Dahal further, however, worried that the dissolution of House of Representatives caused sheer disruption of law making on FoE and journalists' rights. "Journalism's watchdog role should be kept alive for vibrant democracy, so all stakeholders need to work in tandem to protect and promote media rights," he suggested.

Meanwhile, the government provided financial supports to the injured journalists- Dipendra Dhungana, Shyam Shrestha and Shambhu Dangal, which the report took positively. The government also declared martyr to a journalist Suresh Rajak who had died while covering the pro-monarchy protest in March. The introduction of social security scheme for the journalists and employees at State-run media is lauded by the report, suggesting its expansion to other media as well for financial safety.

Several recommendations are made by the report including robust security, tech accountability, and safety and AI training to journalists. (RSS)