Media should play role in combating environmental crisis: Minister Sah

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 4: Minister for Forest and Environment Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi has expressed concern over the challenging environmental situation caused by the ongoing forest fires and water crisis.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Media Action Nepal (MAN) on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on Friday, Minister Sah emphasised the crucial role of the media in maintaining environmental balance and raising awareness about the country’s ongoing crises.

World Press Freedom Day was celebrated worldwide on Friday under the theme “Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.” 

Minister Sah said that the theme underscored the significant role of the media in combating environmental crises.

Minister Sah  also released a digital copy of the annual report published by MAN titled “Media under Threat: Trends and Cases of Press Freedom in Nepal.” 

The report provides insight into the state of press freedom in Nepal, encompassing incidents from May 4, 2023, to May 3, 2024.

According to the report, there were 34 documented cases of press violations during the year. These incidents, categorised under seven indicators including threats, killings, illegal arrests, and information blockage, show the unsatisfactory condition of press freedom in Nepal.

The report highlights the challenges faced by journalists, with over 79 per cent experiencing threats while reporting or gathering information. The implementation of the Working Journalists Act (WJA) has also come under scrutiny, with journalists forced to change careers due to poor enforcement and censorship issues.

The report has examined the current status of constitutionally guaranteed rights such as press freedom and freedom of expression. The cases documented and data categorised based on MAN’s seven indicators, including threats, killings, illegal arrests, misuse of law, seizure of equipment, newsroom harassment and information blockage, clearly show that the year was unsatisfactory in terms of press freedom, with nearly three dozen cases of press freedom violations reported. Over 79 per cent of journalists were threatened while reporting, writing, or gathering information, read the report.

Many journalists were forced to change careers due to the Working Journalists Act (WJA)’s poor implementation, or they were subjected to censorship or content compromise. Nepal’s WJA stipulates a minimum salary that media houses must pay their editorial staff, the report said.

However, in reality, the salary is rarely paid and because of this, the profession is not financially rewarding, which puts pressure on journalists’ independence and ethical standards, according to the report.  Several women journalists left the profession, although we got data on only 29 women journalists leaving journalism, it said. 

Likewise, the report has also examined the state of impunity. It found that so far, only five journalists, 39 from conflict-era times, have got justice.

The report has claimed that although it seems that there were fewer incidents of press violations compared to last year, the violations kept occurring, especially from authorities curbing press freedom.

This report is important to understand the trend of press freedom violations and the major incidents. Furthermore, it focuses on impunity, environmental issues and labour rights violations.

Media Action Nepal vice chair Priyanka Jha said, “This report could be useful to every individual who wants to understand the media freedom landscape in Nepal.”