Journalism in Nepal

Ujjwal AcharyaInternational Academy of Journalism

(Intajour) Alumni

Gopal BudhathokiEditor, Sanghu Weekly

Gopal BudhathokiEditor, Sanghu Weekly

• On May 3, 2013, Nepal Govt awarded him for his 35 years’ of contribution in journalism

• Was continuously threatened of his life over phone and Facebook for 10 days after publication of a story about corruption in an association working for indigenous rights

• Calls received from Malaysia and Germany (+4915212081410)

Dekendra ThapaJournalist, murdered in 2004

Dekendra ThapaJournalist, murdered in 2004

• In July 2004, he was abducted & murdered by Maoists during conflict period

• Remains of the body located after 4 years

• Police arrested 5 among 8 accused in the murder in January 4, 2013

• Accused revealed: he was hung upside down, beaten for weeks before burying him alive

Dekendra ThapaJournalist, murdered in 2004

• Maoist Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai expressed grief over arrest of murderers

• Journalists in region were threatened of life for writing / following up news of arrest

• 22 journalists flee en masse on January 25 after cadres of ruling party Maoist threatened of 10 more lives after injuring 6 journalists in a scuffle

• Returned home on 29 days after safety assurance

Journalism in Nepal

• Legally, the optimum freedom possible!

• Vibrant media – especially community radios

• Continuous threats against journalists

• State of Impunity

Thank you!

@UjjwalAcharya