Freedom Forum marked 33rd World Press Freedom Day on May 3 by releasing its annual press freedom report and joining a solidarity event with human rights activists in Kathmandu.
The report - Eroding Press Freedom- provides a comprehensive overview of the state of press freedom in Nepal between May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026. It documents 97 incidents of press freedom violations, affecting 145 media persons and 20 media houses. Of those affected, 15 percent are women journalists. The report shows a notable increase in threats and attacks against journalists compared to the previous year.
On the day, FF joined the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) Nepal, Kathmandu Chapter in a peaceful demonstration at Jorpati Chowk. Participants displayed banners and placards calling for press freedom, social security and justice for working journalists.
Addressing the gathering, Former HURPES President Homa Kanta Chaulagain emphasized the indispensable role of journalism in defending freedom and human rights. "We respect every journalist who courageously uses the pen in the public interest. At a time when many journalists themselves have not received justice, we salute those who continue to stand up for the rights of others."
HURPES Kathmandu Chapter President Renuka Paudel stressed the state's responsibility to protect press freedom and journalists' rights. "HURPES has always remained committed to strengthening press freedom and human rights. On this World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our solidarity with a strong, free and independent press", Paudel said.
FF's Media Monitoring Officer Nanu Maiya Khadka said World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to recognize and honour the invaluable contributions of journalists while drawing attention to the challenges they continue to face. "FF's monitoring shows that attacks against journalists are increasing while impunity continues to prevail. The long pending impunity must end and justice for journalists must be ensured. Protecting press freedom requires not only constitutional guarantees but also effective implementation of laws and accountability for attacks against journalists", Khadka stressed.
