UNESCO has just published a study report titled: Supporting Safety of Journalists in Nepal: An assessment based on UNESCO’s Journalist Safety Indicators (JSI). The report documents the national state of journalist’s safety and the issue of impunity by providing an overview of the safety situation of journalists in Nepal. It also points out the context of safety and the responsibility of all stakeholders in addressing the issue of journalists’ safety in the country. The report is the second title in the JSI series. The first title discussing Kenya was published in June 2016.
The study finds that there is significant decrease in reported cases of violence and threats against journalists in recent years, and stakeholders widely consider that the security situation of journalists in terms of physical safety has improved.
However, one journalist killing took place in 2015, and many cases of threats against journalists go unreported. Journalists perceive that they are prone to be victimised by both State and non-State actors, and the prolonged political transition has further complicated their security situation.
Impunity has been very serious concern of the stakeholders, as prompt, independent and efficient investigations of crimes against journalists have not been ensured. The faith of journalists in State agencies including the criminal and civil justice system is diminishing.
Moreover, journalists are in highly vulnerable condition. Nearly half of the journalists do not have any appointment letter or contract from their employers, and the journalism profession in Nepal is characterized by low wages, irregular payments, poor working conditions, as well as declining credibility among the public. Women journalists, already a small minority within the profession, are in an even more vulnerable position than their male colleagues, faced with problems like exclusion and harassment.
Though journalists’ safety is becoming an agenda of national interest, a common understanding of the stakeholders on the issue, as well as a national strategy to identify targets and role-players responsible for journalist safety issues, are still lacking.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has the legal authority to protect human rights, including instances of freedom expression violations. It can conduct investigations and recommend action. However, the role of NHRC is yet to be effective for the promotion of journalists’ safety, the Study finds.
Various local stakeholders have already been collaborating on safety issues in various respects. Especially through UNESCO, the UN system within Nepal has been playing a significant role to monitor and share information about journalists’ safety issues, though there is room for improvement. For instance, the project ‘Increasing the Safety for Journalists’ supported by the United Nations Peace Fund (UNPF) has contributed significantly.
A number of international organisations such as International Media Support are also working in Nepal to promote safety issues in the country. The organisations have been supporting local efforts to promote safety.
The study was conducted by SODEC-Nepal, in consultation with UNESCO. This activity was funded by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Programme on Development of Communication (IPDC) which is a multilateral forum which promotes a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media in developing countries.
The report was developed through a multi-stakeholder engagement and consultation process that included a media stakeholders meeting held on 20 February 2015, and a second consultation meeting on 9 June 2015. A peer review exercise of the study was also carried out before its publication.
The UNESCO’s Journalists' Safety Indicators are developed within the context of the endorsement of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. The research instrument pinpoints significant matters that impact upon the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, providing a baseline of knowledge against which progress can be assessed.
To download the publication in PDF format please click here.
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