Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on Nepal’s leadership to ensure that journalists can work freely and without fear. The organization urged President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Sushila Karki to guarantee that law enforcement and other national institutions respect press freedom, especially during times of crisis.
In a statement, RSF highlighted that during recent riots in Kathmandu’s Thapathali neighborhood, protesters targeted media outlets. The premises of the Kantipur Media Group (KMG) were set on fire, and the offices of Public Service Broadcasting Nepal (PSBN) were vandalized.
Additionally, four journalists covering the events were injured by rubber bullets fired by police. The victims included journalists from Kantipur TV, Naya Patrika, and Nepalpress, as well as a freelance journalist. RSF condemned these “unacceptable” attacks targeting both media outlets and individual journalists.
The organization stressed that in times of crisis and instability, it is crucial to protect the right of the public to be informed. RSF stated that press freedom must be a key condition for the recognition of any future government.
