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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Nepal's first 100 days: Press freedom concerns mount under Shah government

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government faces mounting concerns over press freedom and freedom of expression within its first 100 days.
  • Journalists cite warning remarks from ministers, online harassment by ruling party supporters, and a policy favoring state media for advertising as key issues.
  • Critics argue recent court rulings and ministerial statements could create a chilling effect on journalism, potentially bypassing established legal mechanisms for media complaints.

As Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government marks its first 100 days, a growing number of journalists and media observers in Nepal express alarm over what they describe as increasing pressure on press freedom and freedom of expression.

From now on, if anyone attempts to insult or assassinate the character of any citizen, the Home Ministry will take this matter very seriously.

— Sudan GurungHome Minister Sudan Gurung's remarks upon resuming office, indicating potential direct intervention against media organizations.

Concerns have been amplified by a series of developments, including senior ministers' critical remarks directed at the media, sustained online harassment campaigns orchestrated by supporters of the ruling party, and a government policy that restricts public advertising to state-owned media outlets. Additionally, recent court decisions are viewed by critics as potentially stifling to journalistic activities.

Especially when it comes to our daughters and women, whose characters are assassinated in the media, the Home Ministry will take this very seriously.

— Sudan GurungHome Minister Sudan Gurung's statement highlighting a specific concern regarding media coverage of women.

Upon resuming office, Home Minister Sudan Gurung issued a strong warning, stating the Home Ministry would take action against media organizations that insult or defame individuals. He emphasized that character assassination, particularly of women, would be treated "very seriously," suggesting direct intervention by the ministry rather than relying on existing bodies like the Press Council Nepal.

Instead of saying 'the law will deal with it', senior political leaders, including the prime minister and home minister, increasingly say, 'I will deal with it' or 'I will fix it'.

— Binod DhungelMedia scholar Binod Dhungel commenting on the trend of leaders asserting personal authority over legal processes.

Media scholar Binod Dhungel noted a worrying trend where political leaders increasingly assert personal authority, saying "I will deal with it" or "I will fix it," instead of deferring to constitutional and legal processes. This, he explained, fosters an environment of fear among journalists, who are also facing intensified cyberbullying and intimidation from ruling party supporters online, despite the absence of major physical attacks during this period.

In a democracy, the Constitution and the law should stand above individuals. When leaders project personal authority instead, it creates fear.

— Binod DhungelMedia scholar Binod Dhungel explaining the implications of leaders prioritizing personal authority in governance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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