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Nepal witnessed a deeply troubling series of press freedom and freedom of expression violations, with 32 documented incidents affecting 40 journalists, individuals and media houses.

These violations spanned five key areas: killings (2 incidents, 2 killed), arrests (3 incidents, 6 arrested), information blockages (3 incidents, 5 affected), equipment seizures (2 incidents, 3 affected), and threats (22 incidents, 24 threatened), according a report published by Media Action Nepal.  The report was made public on May 2, 2028 in Kathmandu.

The pattern of these violations points to a systemic erosion of journalistic safety and freedom, with journalists and media houses increasingly targeted for performing their constitutionally protected duties, the report said.

Two killings were at the center of this grim period: journalist Suresh Bhul was killed by a violent crowd, and Suresh Rajak was brutally attacked and burnt during a pro-monarchy protest on March 28, 2025. Rajak’s death, in particular, sent shockwaves through Nepal’s media landscape as it highlighted the increasing risks for journalists covering political unrest.

Arrests were carried out in politically sensitive contexts, such as protests involving youth activists and reporters covering cultural issues. Bijay Shah’s arrest for cultural reporting, and two other arrests for contempt of court, illustrate how legal instruments are being used to silence critical voices.

Three well-known media institutions, Kantipur Publications, Annapurna Post, and Samadhan Daily, were also directly targeted, the report says.  This points to an institutional dimension of media suppression where not only individual journalists but also media outlets as a whole are subjected to pressure, often through targeted surveillance, obstruction, or direct attacks, according to the report. Such incidents weaken the role of the press as a watchdog and hinder the operational independence of media house. The report states that government must enact and enforce robust legal protections for journalists. This includes amending the Media Council Bill and the proposed Social Media Bill to remove vague and punitive provisions that curtail freedom of expression. Laws should align with international press freedom and FoE standards, and explicitly guarantee journalists' rights to report without fear of retaliation.

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2025, Media Action Nepal has launched its Annual Press Freedom Report titled “From Intimidation to Impunity: Rising Threats against Media in Nepal” on May 2, 2025, amid a public function held in Kathmandu. The report, which comprehensively documents violations of press freedom and freedom of expression (FoE) from May 4, 2024, to May 1, 2025, was jointly released by Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and Executive Director of Media Action Nepal, Dr. Suresh Acharya, Chief Information Commissioner of the National Information Commission, Priyanka Jha, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal and Nirmala Sharma, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.

Speaking at the launch, Media Action Nepal’s Founding Chair and the Executive Director Laxman Datt Pant remarked, “This years’s findings expose a distressing and deepening crisis in Nepal’s media landscape. The report paints a grave picture of escalating threats faced by journalists. These violations not only endanger individual journalists but erode the very foundation of democracy.”

Commenting on the findings of the report, the Editor of Annapurna Express Kamal Dev Bhattarai lauded Media Action Nepal’s continued commitment to press freedom. He emphasized that “organizations like Media Action Nepal serve as a credible watchdog documenting violations and guiding national discourse.” He urged the government and stakeholders to seriously consider the report’s recommendations to safeguard freedom of expression in Nepal.

Annapurna Post, sister publication of The Annapurna Express, marked its 24th anniversary with a celebration at its office in Tinkune, Kathmandu, attended by journalists and staff members from all departments. On the occasion, Annapurna Media Network’s General Manager Manoj Basnet, Annapurna Post Editor-in-Chief Akhanda Bhandari, The Annapurna Express Editor Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Digital Editor Shambhu Kattel, Radio Annapurna Station Manager Shiromani Dawadi, Radio Annapurna News Chief Bhupal Luintel, and HR Head Shiva Basnet, among others, extended their best wishes and shared congratulatory messages.

Two district correspondents—Ratna Acharya from Sunsari and Bharat Khadka from Udayapur—were honored for their outstanding contributions to journalism. Additionally, all employees and Annapurna journalists were awarded medals in recognition of their dedicated service and contributions to the organization.

Nepal’s first recycling plant capable of processing green PET plastic bottles has been inaugurated in Bharatpur. The facility was launched under Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers of Nepal), as part of broader efforts to improve plastic waste management in the country.

The project is part of the regional PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia) initiative, which is implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) with support from the World Bank and UNOPS. The inauguration event was organized by CREASION, the lead implementing organization for Project CAP.

According to CREASION, nearly 20,000 tons of plastic enter Nepal’s rivers every year. The new facility aims to address this issue by enabling the recycling of green PET bottles, which are often excluded from conventional recycling systems.

The launch event was attended by several officials, including Norbu Wangchuk, Director General of SACEP; Komal Karki, Country Director of UNOPS Nepal; and Joseph Ese Akpokodje, Task Leader of the PLEASE Project and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank. Also present were government officials, environmental specialists, and members of the local community.

CREASION’s Founder and President Aanand Mishra, who chaired the program, said the facility is a step toward expanding Nepal’s recycling capacity and reducing plastic pollution at the source.

President Ramchandra Paudel has said that the Nepali Army is a symbol of dignity, peace and humanity not only for Nepal but also for representing the nation at the international level.    

He said so while addressing the concluding ceremony of the pre-deployment training of the entire rank of Shree Naya Bhairavi Dal Company, Seventh Contingent at Panchkhal in Kavre today. The contingent is leaving for Libya as part of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).    

President Paudel is the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army. On the occasion, President Paudel made it clear that the army and security agencies are committed to the peace, constitutional order and freedom of the Nepali people.    

"I am confident that our army and security agencies are committed to the freedom, constitutional order and peace of Nepal and its people internally as well," the Head of the State said.    

Stating that the Nepali Army has been keeping the image of Nepal and Nepalis high in the international arena by participating in peacekeeping operations at the call of the United Nations for a long time, he said our presence in the peacekeeping force has made it clear that the world has great faith in the Nepali Army and security agencies.    

Recalling the completion of 67 years since the United Nations started involving the Nepali Army in various missions in recognition of its high discipline, loyalty, efficiency and commitment to peace work, he said it was a matter of happiness for us that more than 158,000 Nepali Army peacekeepers have so far demonstrated their capacity in 44 UN missions.    

The President said more than 6,000 peacekeepers are currently working in 11 different missions and Nepal is proud to be ranked in the first place as the largest peace troops contributing country in the world.    

"I am confident that you will continue the history of bravery and commitment demonstrated for nearly six decades by the Nepali Army for establishing peace in the areas where the UN mission is deployed and recognize our tradition of bravery, service and dedication in the world," president Paudel said.    

Reminding the army rank and file that their families, the Nepali Army, all the countrymen and the United Nations also have full confidence in them, the President wished them success in fulfilling the responsibility of world peace with pride.    

Stating that those going to be deployed in the region are aware of the current changing global environment and the increasing security challenges in the regional and international worlds, President Paudel expressed the belief that the members of the Nepali Army contingent are mentally and physically prepared considering the reality of mobilization in complex situations as the security situation in the UNSMIL mission Libya could be challenging.    

"Recalling the fact that the Nepali Army has made an outstanding contribution to world peace by working effectively in various missions in the past, I would like to wish everyone to perform their duties professionally and efficiently while keeping the image of Nepal, the Nepali people and the Nepali Army always high," the President said.On the occasion, President Paudel observed the presentation on the preparedness made by the team participating in the mb ission and he was also briefed about various trainings related to the UN peace mission. (RSS)