Taranath Dahal
The atmosphere for freedom of expression and assembly could not see positive developments in Nepal last year, 2024. The press freedom violations continued unabated. Freedom Forum’s annual media report showed a rise in number of journalists and media persons intimidated in the anti-press incidents. The trend of harassing, threatening and attacking journalists for writing news, especially the investigative news, entrenched further. At a time when federalism with three-tiers of governments were in place where the local levels functioning as the closest governments to the people, created hope of good governance, the financial irregularities are reported rife there. But the journalists writing investigative stories on the activities of local governments are often targeted. Journalist Gopal Dahal was forced to leave his reporting field, Dharan city after repeated threats issued by the Mayor and his supporters.
Similarly, using laws to suppress journalists in Madhesh was equally upsetting. Journalist Jiya Lal Saha has been facing cyber crime and defamation case merely for writing news on financial irregularities and administrative malfeasance in Birgunj Metropolis.
It is contradictory that the political parties which often hail the role of free press in speech and written text for establishing and protecting democracy, and sometime even cooperating with parties at difficult moments of democratic struggles, are now acting as the hostile elements to the journalists. Especially the district and local level political leaders and cadre are in the forefront to this.
In the wake of increasing number of people and activities getting online, the hostile elements have shifted gradually to the digital sphere to harass and threat journalists. It has posed further security risk to the journalists.
This past year had placed huge expectation on the government, for it was hoped to bring the necessary laws and policies that would pave way for progressive atmosphere to protect freedom of expression and journalists’ rights, and create clean and healthy information ecosystem. Although the present government lifted the ban on Tiktok, the diktats issued time and again are against FoE and freedom of assembly online. The draft of the bill relating to FoE and digital spheres witnessed some changes compared to the previous time, but substantial correction for democratic values are awaited. Similarly, the transitional justice is a long pending issue. The parliament passed the bill, which was also expected to accelerate the formation of transitional justice mechanism- truth and reconciliation commission- along with the appointment of qualified persons. Even the process to nominate the officials for the commission was forwarded, but the political bickering stalled it, raising serious concerns over the transitional justice again. Freedom Forum has been advocating for fair investigation and justice to the journalists who were enforced disappeared and killed during the decade long armed insurgency. But the prolonged transitional justice has taken a toll on justice to victim journalists and their families, thereby leaving impunity unaddressed.
The law on public service broadcasting (PSB) and subsequent formation of office to transform the State-run media- Radio Nepal and Nepal Television- was a positive development in Nepali media last year. At the same time, whether the transformation will fully grasp the value of PSB is a wait and see. Editorial freedom and, governance and financial autonomies are imperative for meaningful transformation to PSB.
The amendment of constitution surfaced for some months, creating debate and discussions on the need for correcting faults and anomalies. However, substantial homework to this regard is elusive.
On the other hand, the economic slowdown has not only dented growth but also hugely curtailed employment opportunities. The shrinking economic activities in the country have also resulted in the low advertisement to the media, causing financial instability in media. The Nepali media that suffering much since Covid-19 has not been restored. Neither of the side- government, private sector or institution- has showed interest to recover the media.
In the wake of weakening media and civil society, the public disenchantment has thrived and articulated via digital spaces- going to the stretch of information disorder and waning debate on accountability in society.
The political parties’ attention was focused more on securing government, rather than making parliaments more functional and accelerating the making of necessary bills to enforce federalism effectively. The constitutional bodies that are created for good governance, making accountable executives were rather shadowed by the government. It led to the failure of stringent moves against corruption.
Nepal is a liberal democracy where transparency and accountability of government and public agencies is required much so that citizens would be able to exercise their rights unobstructed and live a fulfilling life. For it to happen, the foundational right- FoE with journalists’ safety- counts much. Freedom Forum continues its efforts for creating FoE friendly atmosphere with its renewed commitment on the occasion of the New Year.
Happy New Year, 2025 !