Kathmandu - A newly released Press Freedom Report 2026 by Media Action Nepal has highlighted a concerning decline in Nepal’s press freedom environment over the past year, despite the absence of journalist killings during the review period.
The report, based on documented cases from 4 May 2025 to 2 May 2026, recorded 71 incidents of press freedom violations, signaling growing challenges for independent journalism and freedom of expression in the country.
According to the findings, the majority of incidents were concentrated in Kathmandu Valley (Bagmati Province) and parts of Madhesh Province, particularly in Saptari, Dhanusha, and Rautahat districts. These areas have been identified as high-risk zones for media professionals. The report also notes spikes in serious violations during September 2025, marked by coordinated attacks on media houses, and March 2026, linked to political unrest.
The violations ranged from physical assaults and arson attacks to judicial overreach and institutional interference. Journalists were reportedly attacked using weapons such as knives and blunt objects, while leading media outlets suffered significant financial losses due to orchestrated arson incidents. Legal provisions, including Article 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act (ETA), were used to detain and prosecute journalists for their reporting and online activities, raising concerns about misuse of laws to suppress dissent.
The report further highlights direct censorship attempts, including court-issued interim orders to remove news content and directives from the Press Council Nepal to delete archived materials. There were also instances of efforts to block international media content and impose restrictions on multiple social media platforms.
State actors, political groups, and government officials were identified as the primary perpetrators of these violations. Cases included police violence, arbitrary detention, deletion of journalistic content, and intimidation by political cadres. Local government representatives were also accused of misusing authority to silence reporters investigating corruption and irregularities.
A particularly troubling aspect noted in the report is the rise in gender-based harassment, with female journalists facing targeted verbal abuse and online threats, often without adequate institutional protection.
The report also sheds light on poor working conditions within media organizations, including delayed salaries and unfair dismissals, raising broader concerns about the safety and welfare of journalists.
In total, the documented violations included two arrests, one equipment seizure, eight instances of information blockage, 50 threats, six harassment cases, and ten cases of legal misuse, impacting 78 journalists and 10 media outlets.
While the absence of journalist killings is seen as a positive development compared to previous years, the report concludes that systemic threats, intimidation, and legal pressures continue to undermine press freedom in Nepal, calling for stronger safeguards, accountability, and reforms to protect journalists and uphold democratic values.
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