Kathmandu, April 26
Reporters Without Borders, a global organisation monitoring status of press freedom in different countries, has remarked that covering political demonstrations continues to be dangerous for Nepali journalists.
As the organisation published its annual World Press Freedom Index for this year today, it has put Nepal in the 106th position, which is six positions below last year.
The organisation has observed, “Many reporters were the targets of intimidation or violence during clashes between protesters and police in the course of several months of demonstrations in the southern Terai lowlands.”
Likewise, there were incidents of violations of right to information during last years’ local, provincial and federal parliamentary elections.
“Many journalists were arrested without a warrant and some were tortured in detention. Others were the victims of physical violence by party activists and politicians. Some reporters were denied access to voting stations.”
However, no journalist has been killed here in past one year, according to the report.
The organisation suggests that the new government take steps to ensure full respect for the “full freedom of the press” enshrined in the preamble of Nepal’s 2015 constitution.
