Press Freedom Faces Challenges in Nepal, Says Federation President

Kathmandu. President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Nirmala Sharma, has stated that press freedom is becoming challenging due to impunity in crimes against journalists, decline in the financial condition of media, and risks to the professional and physical security of journalists.

She said this while extending best wishes to all working journalists, professional media houses, and all communities who advocate for freedom of thought and expression on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

She said, "On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Federation once again extends best wishes to all media persons and advocates for press and freedom of expression. In this current situation where press freedom is becoming a complex issue, the Federation expects solidarity from various professional organizations and civil society leaders of the country for the protection of freedom of expression."

She stated that although the state, any of its organs, levels, or other organized and unorganized sectors have tried to curtail or control press and freedom of expression since history, the press fraternity has always protested strongly.

The best wishes message stated, "The Federation is clear that a situation will arise again where such protest will be necessary. It is a matter of serious concern for us that even after a decade since the implementation of the democratic constitution, incidents of press freedom violations are on the rise in the country."

The observance of World Press Freedom Day began with a UNESCO seminar held in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1991. That seminar issued the "Windhoek Declaration". Remembering this declaration, the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, on the recommendation of UNESCO, decided to celebrate May 3 as "World Press Freedom Day". Since then, this day has been celebrated worldwide every year on May 3 with the objective of protecting and promoting press freedom.

This year's World Press Freedom Day theme is "Building a Peaceful Future: Promoting Press Freedom in the Face of the Climate Crisis". UNESCO is celebrating this year's program in Lusaka, Zambia, on May 4 and 5 with various events.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is celebrating this day at a conference where journalists from around the world will participate in the General Assembly to be held in Paris from May 4 to May 7. President Sharma believes that the discriminatory behavior by the government in government advertisements, the curtailment of welfare advertisements, and the processes that curb freedom of expression are recent developments.