International media groups have expressed grave concern over the systematic attacks, intimidation, harassment, sexual abuse in custody and arbitrary detention of media professionals by the security forces, especially out the Kathmandu Valley.

Releasing its final report about the situation of press freedom in Nepal at the end of its week-long visit to Nepal Saturday, the International Media Mission said, “Intimidation, harassment, attacks and detention of media professionals, particularly in the districts, have continued and furthermore, government pressure on independent media, especially through ‘one-door advertisement policy’, and self-censorship as a result of the actions of the national authorities, security forces and combatant parties have increased.”

Despite the claims of Minister of State for Information and Communication and Home Minister that the government was committed to press freedom, twelve international organisations participating in the mission said they noted that an alarming number of cases of harassment, intimidation, illegal detention, torture, restrictive directives, destruction and seizure of equipment, and attacks on media houses by all parties to the conflict.

The mission also criticised the Maoists for not respecting the press freedom and harassing media professional while in work fields.

The mission also pointed out that increasing involvement of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) and armed police forces in incidents of press freedom and freedom of expression violations, as well as interference in the media sphere.

The report publicised by the mission states that broadcasting authority and the Media Council will further endanger the survival of the independent media and freedom of expression in the country. It said the media ordinances introduced by the government were in contradiction to the principles of the Constitution of 1990.

The mission also objected the government’s admission to supporting an alternative journalists’ association. “The dismissal of state media practitioners for refusing to join this state-supported association demonstrates direct interference in the free choice of association,” it stated.

“The refusal of the government to respect freedom of expression and press freedom erodes 15 years of development for the media community in Nepal, as well as undermines democratic and economic progress and the chances of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the country,” the group of international media experts added.

The international organizations stated that all combatants in the conflict have been responsible for abusing and contravening media practitioners’ rights.

The mission demanded that the anti-terrorism legislation like TADO must not be used to curb freedom of expression and immediate release of journalists including Shyam Shrestha and investigation into the killing of journalist Maheshwor Pahari in custody.

The media organisation stressed that all media practitioners who have undergone maltreatment and torture by the security forces must be compensated, reiterating that media practitioners are protected under national and international law and agreements and that those who violate these must be held accountable and prosecuted.

They demanded that media professionals in districts be allowed to report independently without facing pressure from the government and the Maoists to reveal sources of news.

The government should refrain from introducing any new ordinance or provisions that would alter or override media rights as enshrined in the 1990 constitution and international obligations, the mission members said, demanding the withdrawal of one-door advertisement policy which “has threatened the financial viability of media”.

The international media monitors further said the government must reverse the exuberant fees levied in postage of small and medium sized newspapers in the districts and demanded that they should be allowed freely to use public methods of transportation to distribute their publications without interference.

The mission also demanded the withdrawal of restriction imposed on few online news portals and FM radio stations from broadcasting their news.

The mission also asked the international community to continue to address the violations of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal, and seize every opportunity to promote these rights.

Twelve international media organisations – ARTICLE 19, Free Voice, International Federation of Journalists, International Freedom of Expression Exchange, International Media Support, International News Safety Institute, International Press Institute, Reporters sans Frontières, South Asia Press Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and World Press Freedom Committee participated in the mission.

During their stay in Nepal, the members of the mission met with a broad cross-section of the national media community to discuss the press freedom and freedom of expression situation. They met national authorities, political parties, law experts, civil society representatives and ‘combatant parties’ to stress the need for unconditional respect for press freedom.

The Mission visited Pokhara, Surkhet and Birtamod and met with local civil authorities and representatives of the local media.