Opinion | The state has started suppressing the media. The future appears bleak
Summary
Journalists in Nepal face increasing suppression as the government and military restrict press freedom through intimidation, legal threats, and economic controls over independent media.
Key Points
- Nepali journalists are being intimidated and harassed by police while reporting on vulnerable communities.
- The Nepali Army has warned against sharing misleading content, threatening legal action and restricting investigative journalism.
- The government led by Balendra Shah bypasses legislative debate using ordinances, weakening institutional checks and balances.
- A government circular mandates public advertisements be channeled exclusively through state-owned media, economically strangling private outlets.
