Nepali journalists’ federation concerned over media restrictions by government

Kathmandu – Nirmala Sharma, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, has expressed concern over the increasing threat to press and expression freedoms guaranteed by the current constitution.

Speaking at the Nepal Press Union’s General Assembly on Wednesday, she stated that the government’s decision to monopolize advertisement distribution and provide information solely to state-run media has imposed restrictions on the media. She remarked, “The Federation of Nepali Journalists is apprehensive that the press and expression freedoms granted by the current constitution may be curtailed. The current government’s decision to monopolize advertisements and provide information only to state-run media is a move to restrict the media.”

She further mentioned that pressure on democracy and press freedom is mounting, and journalists are feeling increasingly insecure lately.

“We have been experiencing pressure from both the government and organized and unorganized groups in our fight for democracy and press freedom. For the past two months, we have been feeling insecure,” she added.