Update on protest: Huge loss of property; vandalism and arson on media houses as well

The protest called by GenZ on September 8 escalated into violence on September 9 gathering people from all the generations across Nepal. Following death of 19 protestors and hundreds injured, the rage led to violent riots, clashes and arsons targeting major public buildings in federal capital, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The agitated people set on fire Federal Parliament, Singhadurbar (central administration complex), Supreme Court, Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, residence of political leaders. They have also set on fire buildings of national media outlets.

Violent mob have vandalized and arsoned offices of Public Service Broadcast (Nepal Television and Radio Nepal), Kantipur Publications, Kantipur Television, Radio Kantipur, and Annapurna Post.

Journalist at Ekantipur.com Ram Hari Dulal told Freedom Forum that Kantipur print and online team were working from home in view of violent situation. Though no human casualties are recorded at the publications house in Thapathali, our whole news system has been collapsed. "We are reporting through the social media page (@ekantipur) of the media", informed journalist Dulal.

But situation was more tense in the television office located at Tinkune.

News Producer at Kantipur TV Pushpa KC shared with FF, "We were in the newsroom broadcasting live of the protest all over Nepal. Deputy News Chief Rupesh Shrestha stepped outside the studio and Chief Editor Vijay Poudel was about to go on air. Meanwhile, we noticed protestors vandalizing the office. We were panicked as there was no way out."

"However, News Chief Shrestha broke the glass door of the studio and we were able to get out of the building. As we came out, one building was already burning, vehicles parked outside were blazing. Protestors were pelting stones at the building. We were able to reach home safely. But, my mind is in a state of emptiness since yesterday", journalist KC wrote in her social media post.

"Television broadcast is also completely halted after the incident. All the infrastructures are destroyed", KC said.

FF also talked to Ram Kala Khadka, News Coordinator at Annapurna Post. Khadka said in panicking voice that the protestors suddenly started shouting all the people inside the office to go outside while they were working in the office. All the staffs ran out of the office and then, they set the building on fire.

"Though we were able to save ourselves, all the infrastructures turned into ashes. We will continue reporting through the online portal", Khadka said.

Other television channels- Avenues, AP1, Prime TV, News Nepal, Himalaya, ABC and Space 4K have displayed notice on their respective channels stating that the service of channels were disrupted from the broadcaster's end and that the channels would resume soon. All these channels had broadcasted the protest live.

Similarly, vehicle of News24 was torched and reporting devices seized. Radio Jagaran's office in Butwal, Lumbini Province was also vandalized. Media organizations- Federation of Nepali Journalists Saptari, Madhesh Province and Press Center Babarmahal- were also vandalized during the protest.

Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the targeted attack upon media houses. These incidents have destroyed media properties and disrupted people's access to information at this crucial time.

Peaceful resolution of the situation is imperative.