KATHMANDU — Nepal’s 2018 World Press Freedom Index ranking has declined to 106 from the previous standing of 100 in 2017. The index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) states that covering political demonstrations and elections in Nepal by journalists is still unsafe.

Nepal’s global score in 2018 is 32.05 compared to 33.02 in 2017.

RSF made the statement on its website: “

Dangerous to cover protests and elections

Covering demonstrations continues to be dangerous for Nepalese journalists. Many reporters were the targets of intimidation or violence during clashes between protesters and police in the course of several months of demonstrations in the southern Terai lowlands, which fuelled political instability as well as physical threats to journalists and media. In 2017, the first local, provincial and parliamentary elections in 20 years were marked by many violations of the freedom to inform. Many journalists were arrested without a warrant and some were tortured in detention. Others were the victims of physical violence by party activists and politicians. Some reporters were denied access to voting stations. In this light, the new government needs to take steps to ensure full respect for the “full freedom of the press” enshrined in the preamble of Nepal’s 2015 constitution.”

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