A STUDY ON THE STATE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN NEPAL A PROJECT WORK

A STUDY ON THE STATE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN NEPAL
A
PROJECT WORK
Presented to the Department of Languages and Mass Communication
School of Arts
Kathmandu University
In partial fulfillment for the degree of Bachelor in Media Studies
By
Prabin Dhungel (Registration No: 017610-14)
2018

A Study on the State of Investigative Journalism in Nepal
A
PROJECT WORK
Presented to the Department of Languages and Mass Communication
School of Arts
Kathmandu University
In partial fulfillment for the degree of Bachelor in Media Studies
By
2018

CERTIFICATION
Project Work on
A Study on the State of Investigative Journalism in Nepal
By:
Approved By:
1. Project Supervisor
Associate Prof. Dr. Nirmala Mani Adhikary
(Signature) (Name) (Date)
2. External Examiner
Mr. Achyut Acharya
3. Coordinator/Supervisor
Asst. Prof. Sudarshan Prasad Dahal

i
Declaration of Original Authorship
This research project titled “A Study on the State of Investigative Journalism in Nepal” is
carried out by me, Prabin Dhungel, student of Kathmandu University (School of Arts); for
the partial fulfillment of Bachelors in Media Studies (BMS). I hereby declare that this
research project is my original work. This research paper hasn’t been submitted or
published anywhere. I declare that I have intensely worked on this project, collected data
and information, analyzed and presented by findings here, myself. I have neither employed
other person to write this project on my behalf nor copied any material from previously
published thesis or any other authors’ works. The references have been mentioned in the
reference section, with due credit to the researchers; and interviewees.
…………………………
Prabin Dhungel

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Abstract
Investigative Journalism has been on the rise in Nepal. Investigative journalism is about
exposing the information hidden by the source. It is one of the risky yet highly- sought
specialized reporting in the media industry. Various investigative exposes have caused shift in
the people’s opinion, perspectives, outlook and approach to looking at various issues.
This study has analyzed 60 different investigative news published in various newspapers,
reports, and magazines. Content analysis has been done to analyze the data based on collected
news exposes. Interviews have been conducted with the industry experts to extract further
information and data.
The findings show that earlier form of investigative journalism seem to have been carried out
during the 1963 A.D. in Nepal. Various shifts in trends, issues and thematic elements have also
been explored. Most of the earlier investigative exposes seemed to be about corruption,
financial embezzlement and abuse of power by the authority; whereas the thematic issues
covered in today’s scenario seem to have diversified.
Though, there hasn’t been much assessment about the impacts of investigative journalism in
Nepal; the research has provided insights into some of the crucial investigative exposes, trends,
style and aftermath in Nepal.
Interestingly, the findings show that most of the investigative stories are based inside the
Kathmandu Valley than outside Kathmandu Valley.
Keywords: Investigative Journalism, Muckraking, Exposes, Journalism of Courage, Media
Industry,

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Acknowledgements
I am very grateful to have Asst. Prof. Sudarshan Prasad Dahal, coordinator of media studies
program at Kathmandu University, School of Arts and Associate Prof. Dr. Nirmala Mani
Adhikary for supervising my thesis. I would like to thank both of them immensely for their
valuable support, encouragement, and frequent suggestion; during a month-long research and
study process.
I would like to acknowledge all the faculty of KU-SoA for their support, advices and continuous
motivation, specifically Mr. Chandi Raj Dahal, Mr. Rajan Kathet, Mr. JB Biwokarma, and
Binita Dahal for their encouragement.
I also want to thank Mr. Mohan Mainali, editor and staff at PANOSA, Mr. Pramod
Acharya, Mr. Arun Karki, Pooja, CIJ staff, Mr. Rohini Ghimire, and Anil Yadav, for
their valuable support and encouragement.
I would like to thank CIJ, PANOSA, Himal media, Kaiser Library, Madan Purashkar
Library, GIJN, and IJ Net for their valuable resources and reference materials.
Finally, I would like to thank all ten respondents who took time from their schedule to
accommodate me for interview sessions. I greatly appreciate and must acknowledge the
creators and owners of all those reference materials; that I used to for the review of the
literature.

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List of Table:
Table 1: List of the Early Newspapers that did preliminary Investigative Journalism in Nepal
Table 2: Instances of Violation of Press Freedom and Attacks against the Journalists
Table 3: Organizations doing Investigative Journalism in Nepal
Table 4: Major Investigative Newspapers and Magazines in Nepal (Currently)
Table 5: Major Impactful Investigative News Coverage
Table 6: Thematic Aspect in Investigative News

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List of Figures:
Fig. 1: Male and female investigative journalists (on Analyzed Investigative News)
Fig. 2: Gender based segregation of Human Sources for investigative news
Fig. 3: Journalist’s familiarity with history of investigative journalism in Nepal.
Fig. 4: Journalist’s opinions on effectiveness of their exposes.
Fig. 5: Journalist’s opinions on their professional safety concerns.
Fig .6: Threats to family, life and property received by interviewed journalists.
Fig.7: Censorship faced by interviewed journalists.
Fig.8: Effectiveness of the regulations for investigative journalism.

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS:
A.D.: Anno Domini
CIMA: Center for International media Assistance
CPJ: Committee to Protect Journalists
FNJ: Federation of Nepalese Journalists
GIJN: Global investigative Journalists’ Network
ICIJ: International Consortium of Investigative Journalists
IJNet: Investigative Journalists’ Network
MPP: Madan Purashkar Pustakalaya
OECD: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
RSS: Rastriya Samachar Samiti (National news Agency)
5W and 1H : Who, What, Where, When, Why & How

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Table of Contents:
Declaration of Original Authorship……………………………………………………………... i
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………..ii
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………iii
List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………………….iv
List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………………….v
List of Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………………….vi
Chapter 1………………………………………………………………………………………….1
Introduction…………………………………...………………………………………….……….1
1.1 Background of the Research Study………………………………….....................1
1.2 Statement of the Problem………………………………………………………...3
1.3 Research Objectives………….…………………………………………………...4
1.4 Research Questions…………………….……………………………………........5
1.5 Significance…………………………………………………………………...….5
Chapter 2..…………………………………………………………………………...……………6
Review of the literature…………………...……………………………………………………....6
2.1 Review of Previous Literature and Studies……………………………………………..…….6
2.2 History and Evolution of Investigative Journalism (Global Perspective)…………………...14
Chapter 3………………………………………………………………………………………...26
Research Methodology………………………………………………………………..................26
3.1 Research Design…………………………………………………………………..26
3.2 Research Approach……………………………………………………………….28
3.3 Universe and Sampling…………………………………………………………...29

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3.4 Method of Data Collection……………………………………………….……….30
3.5 Methods of Data Analysis…………………………………………………….…..31
3.6 Limitations…………………………………………………………………….….32
Chapter 4……………………………………..………………………………………………….33
Findings………………………….……………………………………………………………....33
Discussion.………………………………..……………………………….……………….……62
Chapter 5………………….……………………………………………………………..………67
Conclusion and Recommendations……………………..……………………………………….67
Conclusion of the Study……………………………………………………………….………...67
Recommendations for Future Reference and Research…………………………………………70
References…………………………………...…………………………………………….…….71
Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………...75
Annex 1…...……………………………………………………………………………………..76
Annex 2………………………………………………………………………………………….77

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Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Research Study:
Investigative journalism has been gradually gaining massive momentum, support and the
audiences in the last decades; as suggested by many top guns of muckraking during
Investigative Journalism Asia Conference 2016. Investigative journalism is about unearthing
details, scandals and other information that the source hides or intends to hide from the general
public. Investigative journalism is about bringing out the secret news, scams and information;
through unconventional tactics and brilliant, immersive storytelling. It is a fact-driven
storytelling, supported by unbiased perspectives and crucial evidences. It plays a crucial role in
maintaining the true spirit of journalism, advocacy and democracy. In order to bring
investigative news reports to life; muckrakers have to go through numerous files and work
rigorously.
Due to the technological leverage, advanced global networking and collaboration, today’s
investigative journalism has been able to maintain its spirit, while dispensing the mandated
duties and responsibilities. It has truly performed the assigned roles and responsibilities of
watchdog, surveillance, and check-and-balance mechanism. Media is often regarded as the
‘Fourth Estate’ after Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary system. And, investigative
journalism has been indispensable in ensuring that the media remains as the ‘Fourth Estate”
and perform accordingly.
Investigative journalism is often considered as the strongest form of journalistic practice as it is
backed rigorous research and extensive analysis, supported by wide array of evidences and

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skillful compilation of news stories. As it goes beyond the conventional structure of 5W and
1H and ability to cause uproar; and impactful changes; it is crucial form of journalism. More
time, resources, dedication and efforts are needed to dispense role of investigative journalist.
According to media scholars, John Ullman and J. Colbert (1995); investigative journalism is
about revealing the issues of public interest hidden or being hidden by the sources, under one’s
own actions.
There are various instances, wherein the exposes of investigative journalists have been crucial
instrument in bringing about positive changes, holding authority accountable, changing
existing laws, bills and regulations; and more importantly making the general public aware of
wrongdoings and ill practices. There are various examples from national and international
circuits; wherein the end results of investigative journalism brought forth various changes in
the various sectors.
The famous expose of Panama Papers not only rattled the global media sphere and societies in
2015 A.D.; but also resulted in resignation of high-profile bureaucrats and global leaders,
police raids and arrests in various nations and changes in laws and regulations in various
countries like Taiwan, India, Russia, USA, etc. The expose of Cambridge Analytica -
Facebook scandal in 2017 not only made people aware of how their personal data and privacy
were breached by top social networks and manipulated them; but also brought the top brass of
Facebook to face legal actions and judicial hearing. Investigative journalism exposes have
brought many more transitions in other parts of the world.
There is a lack of enough research and documentation about the investigative journalism in
Nepal’s context. However, various organizations such as Committee to Protect Journalists

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(CPJ), Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), International Consortium of
Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) ,etc. have done some research about impacts, causes, and nature of investigative
journalism. Today’s era of networked society, advancement of technology and rise of new
media platforms have really proved beneficial for the growth and proliferation of investigative
journalism.
This research study emphasizes on historical evolution of investigative journalism in Nepal,
present scenario and challenges and opportunities associated with investigative journalism. In
this research, available documents, articles, books and interviews with seasoned muckrakers
have been used as crucial method of extracting information needed for the analysis and
conclusion.
1.2 Statement of the Problem:
There have been limited debates, discourses, and discussions about investigative journalism in
the national and international arena. Meetings, seminar, boot camps, symposiums and
conferences are and have been being held in various parts of the world to discuss about the
scenario and status quo of investigative journalism.
This research study is focused mainly about the overall of investigative journalism in Nepal; as
there is lack of such research here. Much emphasis is given to the origin, nature and kind of
investigative journalism being practiced in Nepal; including historical evolution, current era,
existing trends, and future prospects of investigative journalism in Nepal.

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Investigative journalism has been a great help in holding authority accountable and own up
their wrongdoings strengthen democracy, public sphere, knowledge and kept spirit of
watchdog alive. It is generally assumed that private media have more well-trained investigative
journalists than public media. It is also assumed that investigative journalists are heavily
threatened and are at more risk than other journalists. Many people believe that CIJ is the sole
organization in Nepal that actively contributes for the investigative journalism in Nepal; and
vice versa.
There doesn’t seem to be concrete and full-fledged research and documentation about
investigative journalism in Nepal. Most of the preliminary research focused on overall
journalism; with priority given towards issues such as political dimensions, safety concerns,
legal and judicial affairs, regulations, ethical standards, etc. In Nepal’s context, there seems
lack of intensive and extensive research about the investigative journalism.
The chief objectives of this research study are to find out about the historical evolution of
investigative journalism in Nepal, its overall status and major challenges and opportunities in
its practices. literacy, critical perspectives, theoretical frameworks, principles and vice versa;
of investigative journalism in Nepal.
1.3 Research Objectives:
The major objective of this research study can be summarized as below:
1. To present an outline of the evolution of investigative journalism in Nepal.
2. To find out about the current state of investigative journalism in Nepal.

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3. To assess the major opportunities and challenges of investigative journalism in Nepal.
1.4 Research Questions:
The research questions for this research project are as listed below:
a. How did the investigative journalism evolve in Nepal?
b. What is the state of investigative journalism in Nepal?
c. What are the major opportunities and challenges, while doing investigative journalism
in Nepal?
1.5 Significance:
There are limited debates, discussions, and discourses about investigative journalism in the
international arena. Also, there is a lack of full-fledged research conducted about the
investigative journalism in Nepal. This study has incorporated structured study into history;
present scenario, theoretical and partial aspects of investigative journalism in the context of
Nepal. This will be the first of its kind of full-fledged research about investigative journalism
in Nepal.
This research study will have significant contribution towards the discourses and further study
about investigative journalism in Nepal. This research study will provide the readers vivid
picture of investigative journalism, its historical evolution and present status of investigative
reporting in Nepal.

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The findings of this research will act as the stepping-stone for the future references and study
about the subject. This will be a great help for those who want to get acquainted with the
historical evolution, overall scenario and status quo of investigative journalism in Nepal.
Likewise, this study will explore how investigative journalism evolved and developed in
Nepal.

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Chapter 2
Review of the Literature
2.1 Review of Previous Literature and Studies:
Journalism is the profession, art, process and discipline that deal with the collection of recent
news and information, production and dissemination. Journalism tends to make people aware of
the latest happenings with which they are not aware of. American Press Institute (in its official
website) defined journalism as ‘the activity of gathering, assessing, creating and presenting
news and information’. There are various types of journalism such as advocacy, development,
business, broadcast, investigative, tabloid journalism, sting journalism, etc.
Investigative journalism is the most rewarding, challenging and serious type of journalism;
wherein matters of public interest and goodwill are deeply investigated. Some of the major
issues covered by Investigative Journalism include corruption, financial embezzlement, large
scale homicide/genocide, crimes, corporate wrongdoings, etc. It plays crucial role in democratic
system; and keeps close vigil on all three major estates: Executive, Legislative and Judicial
bodies (Walter Robinson, 2016).
Various scholars and researchers have given varying definitions of Investigative journalism;
based on the local practices, issues covered, legal matters, norms and values, belief system,
shared standards and limitations/ allowances.

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Very few researches seem to have been done regarding investigative journalism and its various
aspects, dimensions, purposes, impacts and significances. Some of the researchers who
researched about investigative journalism are Sheila Coronel (2011, 2013, unspecified year),
Diana Carolina Ortiz Herrera (2014), Marina Svensson (2012), Amanda Gearing (2016),
Giuseppe Valiante (2013), James Aucoin (2005), Hugo de Burgh (2008), James Curry
(2010,2011), Wendy Bacon (2011), Noam Chomsky et al (2002), Christian Kolmar (2008),
Robert Waterman, John Nichols et al (2010),Leonard M. Kantumoya (2004), Tania Moilanen
(2014), etc.
The University of Missouri’s Journalism Professor Steve Weinberg defines Investigative
Journalism as ‘Reporting, through one’s own initiative and work product, with matters of
importance to reader, viewers and /or listeners’. (Weinberg, 1996)
Mark Feldstein regards investigative reporting/ journalism as a vital bulwark of democracy. He
asserts that investigative reporting is done to keep check on wrongdoing in politics and public
policy. Feldstein claims that the core of Investigative journalism lies in its use of fact gathering
to challenge authority and oppose the abuse of power—political, governmental, corporate, or
religious—on behalf of ordinary citizens. He regards investigative journalists as ‘custodians of
public conscience’. (Feldstein, 2006, pg. 1)
David Anderson and Peter Benjamin (1990) claim that investigative journalism is ‘simply the
reporting of concealed information’.
Horris regards investigative journalism as ‘a generic form in which the journalists or
newspapers initiates the story, based on suspicion of wrong-doing, rather than simply reporting
in a more passive and disinterested way…’ (Horris, 2008, p.114)

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James Aucoin views investigative journalism as telling the public something which is important
for them to know, and which they don’t need to know” (Aucoin, 2005).
The Oxford Concise Dictionary (2004) defines investigative journalism as ‘investigating and
seeking to expose malpractice or the miscarriage of justice’. Media researcher Derek Forbes
claims that investigative journalism covers a range of reporting activities, from simple news-
based enquiries to undercover operations that piece together a jigsaw puzzle of events, resulting
in a final expose or scoop.
David Kaplanis of the opinion that investigative journalism is the ‘in-depth, systematic use of
original research and reporting. He views investigative journalism as a process of unveiling
secrets that are often hidden from the public domain, emphasizing strongly on social justice and
accountability’. (Kaplan, 2015)
According to media scholar Aucoin (2005), there are five distinct components of investigative
reporting such as:-
i. Exposure of information
ii. about an important public issue
iii. that someone or some organization does not want reported
iv. that is revealed through the original, time-consuming “digging” of the reporter
v. For the purpose of inspiring reform.
BBC journalist Paul Myers and Afghani investigative journalist Nangyallay Nang believe that
the major tools used in investigative journalism are documents analysis, secret meeting with the

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insiders, access to public databases and records, security and privacy tools like Virtual Private
Number, Specialized sites and databases, backdoor entry to the websites, hacking, use of wide
array of sources on the web such as privacy browsers, disconnect.me, pop-up archive, tracking,
tracing, etc. (Investigative Journalism Conference, 2016)
Similarly, Gilligan (2013) believes that it is impossible to do investigative journalism at times,
without breaking the journalistic ethics and code of conducts. She opines that ‘very little would
get investigated, if investigative journalism is to be always perfect.’
Former executive editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gene Roberts regards investigative
journalism as a ‘litmus test’ of how seriously the news organization takes its responsibility to
inform the public.
Most of the researcher, practitioners and media scholars seem to agree that investigative
journalism is the very aspect which not only strengthens the fourth estate of journalism; but also
makes the other estates accountable, transparent, and credible. They further believe that
investigative journalism builds, enhances and expands the virtue and strength of democracy.
Investigative journalist Eric Mwamba (2016) believes that investigative journalism is about
discovering, verifying and disseminating news that the sources want to hide from the public
domain. For him, investigative journalism has been crucial tool to reveal ‘duplicity’ and ‘real
faces’ of those in power; and making them take responsibility for their irresponsible actions.
When discussing about the major aspects of investigative journalism, the practitioners, media
scholars and researcher mutually agree that it is about deep-digging for hidden information,
public interest issues, and lengthy investigative process for the story development.

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Investigative journalists have proactively investigated government, judiciary, military,
parliament, corporations, corporate houses, business firms, Banking and Financial Institutions
(BFIs), NGOs/INGOs, charity organizations, crime syndicates, cartels, politics, industries, etc.
(K.P. Dhungana, 2016)
Investigative Journalism is check-and-balance mechanism, which play crucial role in
strengthening media and journalism sphere and democracy; in orderly fashion. To be
investigative journalist, one needs various qualities. (Andrew Lehren, 2016)
Kovach and Rosensteil (2007) described the three major forms of investigative journalism: i.e.
original investigative reporting, interpretative investigation reporting and reporting on
investigations.
‘Original investigative reporting is about probing and reporting on wrongdoings unknown to the
general public by the reporters on their own initiatives. Original investigative journalism gives
reporter more power and leverage to make the authority accountable and transparent; by
reporting on their major wrongdoings.
Interpretative investigative reporting is done to follow up with the first form, expand or entail
additional details and/or make the original reportage more comprehensive, balanced and
complete. It provides public deeper detailed understanding on the pertinent issues. It is result of
careful thought and analysis of an idea, and finding concrete facts to back up that idea. Some
facts can be overlooked, missed, misinterpreted in this form.
In reporting on investigations, reporters find out further information and report on the discovery
or leak of information from an official investigation already underway or in preparation by

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others, usually government agencies.
The negative aspect of this form is that sometimes, reporters tend to include points from the
sources without strong verification. Some researcher attribute this to the hurriedness of
breaking a scoop faster and earlier than other competitors; while some claim it to result of war
for viewership, listenership and/or readership’. (Kovach and Rosensteil, 2007)
‘Though all forms of journalism can be described as investigation; investigative journalism is
different from other journalism as it goes beyond the traditional 5W1H style; and digs up deep
secret or hidden information. Investigative journalism depends on reporter’s own initiative and
enterprise. She likens it to watchdog journalism; which checks the abuses of those in power and
wealth. She opines that investigative journalism goes beyond what is publicly proclaimed and
expose the lies and hypocrisy of those who wield power.’ (Sheila Coronel, 2011)
David Kaplan noted that globally only 2% of the total funds in the media organization was
segregated for the investigative reporting. He estimated that about $12 million was segregated
for investigative reporting in 2011.
Similarly, Kaplan cited that growth in ICT access and usability, rise of global networking of
muckrakers and globalization have further expanded the investigative journalism.
(Kaplan, 2013)
Diane D. Ortiz Herrera (2014) concludes that 5 major forces threaten the Colombian
journalism. Herrera claims that investigative journalism in Colombia is often ‘threatened by I.)
The Guerillas, II.) The drug traffic, III.) The paramilitaries and the new criminal gangs, IV.)
The Market and V.) The State.’

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In her Master’s paper, Herrera analyzes how the investigative journalism has been affected due
to the Colombian war, conflicts and cross-border tensions. She also briefly discusses how the
journalists there perceive and handle such pressures.
Marina Svensson (2012) investigated how investigative journalism has evolved in China. While
discussing investigative journalism in China, she claims that ‘ideological, social and economic
changes contributed for the dramatic effects in investigative journalism in China’. She further
describes how investigative journalists are active in China despite structural constraints,
censorship and lack of independent media.
The ‘supervision by public opinion’ bill known as ‘yulun jiandu’ brought in the 1980s
encouraged limited investigative journalism in Chinese media mainly to check and supervise
local power abuses. In her views, commercialization and decentralization of the media helped
to boost investigative journalism and critical reporting in China.’ (Svennsson, 2013, pg. 4)
The Centre for International Media Assistance (CIMA) reported in its survey that investigative
journalism is one of the media projects gaining priority in the Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD) budget for financial support for the year 2010-2015. Most
of those funds go to conflict and post-conflict countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria,
Sweden, Ukraine, etc. During the research period, CIMA noticed that investigative journalism-
spending rose by 146 percent in the second half; thanks due to big grants and funding to the
Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Russia. CIMA reported that the Balkan Investigative Reporting
Network received grant amounting to $5 million from Sweden; another similar project in
Ukraine was granted $2.1 million and Rwandan investigative project was granted $2.4 million
by the USA.

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In the same report, CIMA confirmed that investigative journalism was the top priority for the
foreign investors/ donors.
There should not be breach of ethical standards in journalism (including investigative
journalism); but investigative journalist Kieran Crowley believes that one must be willing to
break ethics in investigative journalism.
Kieran Crowley opines that:
‘Certain actions we normally think of as immoral can be, under certain strict conditions,
morally justified…Such matters as deceit and intrusion into privacy may be justified- but only
where they are absolutely required to establish proof of serious corruption, deceit or immorality
that significantly harm others. Moreover, journalistic actions that abrogate the relevant
considerations are very often not illegal in any way.’(Crowley, 2000, Pg. 159)
So, it is okay to break the ethical standards in investigative journalism, so long as it impacts
mass audiences and is in public interest.
Shoemaker and Reese (1996) believed that ‘Sometimes it isn’t easy to avoid ethical problems”.
Hugo de Burgh believes that investigative journalism draws “attention to failures within
society’s systems of regulation and to the ways in which those systems can be circumvented by
the rich, the powerful and the corrupt.’ (de Burgh, 2008, p. 3)
Some research suggests that ‘the need to publish investigative stories of wrongdoing, at times
force journalists to make choices that cause emotional, physical, financial or reputational harm
to the elite or the rulers or the powerful people in society.’ (Elliot and Ozar, 2010, p.10).

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Horrie is of the opinion that investigative journalists have the right to be ‘bloodhounds as well
as watchdogs.’ (Horrie, 2008, p.114)
Some research study credits the highly sensational expose of the Watergate Scandal by Bob
Woodward and Carl Bernstein as the main source for popularization of investigative
journalism; worldwide. Studies suggest that widespread coverage of the Watergate scandal,
films such as All the President’s Men and Nixon contributed for the surge in debate, dialogue
and discussion about significances of investigative journalism.
In her 2014 Master’s thesis, Tania Moilanen claims that Russia is most hostile and deadly
towards investigative journalism; due to the reasons like suppression of press freedom and
limited access to official records, threats and violence against journalists, impunity, restrictive
laws and heavy fines, heavy censorship, etc. Moilanen analyzed how investigative journalism
was endangered during the regime of Vladimir Putin.
Moilanen (2014) explains how the authority threatened investigative journalism with
haphazard crackdown on media houses, limited freedom of speech and expression, lawsuits for
investigative journalists, criminalization of some investigations, abrupt shutdown of some
’unlawful’ websites and web portals, tougher access to official records, physical and mental
attacks, etc.
Moilanen (2014) discusses about the history of investigative journalism in Russia and how
privately established 1st TV station in Russia-NTV- conducted systematic investigation into the
Chechen war. She concludes her thesis by asserting that investigative journalism is on the path
of being obsolete in the mainstream media thanks to new and smart technology, financial crises,
legal and judicial hassles, government crackdown, threats and violence.

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Stella Paul opines that there is a dearth of proper study about investigative journalism in South
Asian contexts; and very few serious research have been done regarding the subject, while
investigating the South Asian journalism.
The researcher used various keywords such as muckraking, journalism of courage,
investigation, investigative journalism, investigative reporting, in-depth reportage, investigative
reporting history, etc.
Various publications such as ‘Samhita’, Media Adhyayan (Media Studies) have been
extensively consulted for the research. But; they focused mostly on journalism, ethics, yellow
journalism, and propaganda and political impacts only. The advanced Google search helped to
access the previous researches done about investigative journalism by researcher from China,
Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, the USA, the UK, Germany, etc.
2.2 History and Evolution of Investigative Journalism (Global Perspective):
The history of investigative journalism began about 200 years ago. It is estimated that the
history of investigative journalism goes back to the 19th
century. The major issues covered by
investigative journalists in the past used to be about corruption, bureaucratic hassles, mass
murder, scandals, celebrity affairs, labor scandal, misdemeanor of church, abuse of power,
trafficking, natural disasters, conflicts, war, political wrongdoings, etc.
McClure’s magazine published an investigative expose in October 1902. The newspaper also
featured an expose on the sex scandal of the then French King. ‘Publick Occurrences’ is
considered as the 1st
newspaper in America. Unfortunately, after the expose, Harris was
imprisoned, printing license was cancelled and the British authority shut down further
publication. The first issue of the newspaper also became its last.

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‘In 1735, John Peter Zenger exposed corruption in the Royal Governor of New York’s
administration. Zenger was charged of seditious libel in the court. But, his advocate Andrew
Hamilton requested the court to punish him if the news is false and hold him free of all charges,
if the news is true.
When the news was proven true; thanks to strong evidences against the governor, Zenger was
set free and all charges against him were dropped. Zenger’s case proved to be successful creed
for the future muckrakers’. (Katz, 1972, page 99)
In his Master’s thesis, Mark Feldstein claims that one hundred years ago, on March 17, 1906,
‘President Theodore Roosevelt coined a new phrase that soon entered the American lexicon:
“muckrake.” ”It was not a term of endearment.’ (Feldstein, 2006, page 1)
Henry Demarest Lloyd published series of investigative exposes on corruption in business and
politics in various newspapers in the early 1880s.
Lloyd’s books such as ‘The Story of Great Monopoly (1881), The Political Economy of
Seventy-Three Million Dollars (1882), both published in the Atlantic Monthly; and ‘Lords of
Industry’ (1884) in the North American Review caused quite a stir and angered authority. Many
researchers as the first investigative journalist in America, and perhaps the whole world often
regard Lloyd.
William Thomas Stead is considered as one of “the founding fathers of investigative
journalism”. Stead was famously known for his undercover reporting and investigation into
trafficking of young girls in 1885. Though his investigation landed him in jail for some time,
the case helped to bring change in law.

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In the early 18th century, James Franklin (Benjamin Franklin’s brother) published an expose on
the Puritan Church authorities for initiating a smallpox inoculation. Franklin was imprisoned
for his expose. Franklin’s case was seen as a start of press skepticism towards the authority.
During 1830s and 1840s, investigative journalism was less influential, infrequent, less neutral
and propagandist. The wrongdoings and corruption in the Church, business, corporate, military,
supporting political parties and benefactors were always ignored.
‘Furthermore, investigative journalism was limited by the dependency on the government for
budget, technology and printing resources as well as limited circulation and readership. Due to
illiteracy, heavy dispersion of population in the rural areas, technological limitation and heavy
pricing; very few audiences purchased the newspapers.’ (Folkerts and Teeter 1998)
Benjamin Day started publishing the New York Sun in 1833. The newspaper was the first
newspaper to be printed in Penny Press; costing only 1 penny for the customers.
The emergence of Penny Press ended political alliance between media and parties; as they were
able to support investigative journalism freely. This also reduced the production cost for the
newspapers and media could sustain thanks to advertising, sales and increased circulation of the
newspapers. Soon, other publishers followed the suit of printing cheaper newspapers. Since, the
media became independent of political support; there was surge in investigative journalism.
After the growth of Penny Press, investigative journalism became popular and relevant once
again. Journalists like William Randolph Hearst, E.W. Scripps and Joseph Pulitzer pursued
their careers in sensational investigative reporting and excelled in it.

19
After the civil war (1861 to 1865 A.D.), there was less significant increase in investigative
reporting. However, the situation turned around in the early 1830s, with advent of cheaper
printing technology.
Significant exposes after the civil war included graft by William “Boss” Tweeds in New York
City’s Tammany Hall, Credit Mobilier scandal, human rights abuses and atrocity in asylum. In
1870, the New York Times published an expose of Tammany Hall corruption in New York City
and harmful actions orchestrated by Boss Tweeds in the city. In 1887, The New York World
journalist Nellie Bly feigned as mental patient and worked undercover for months to expose the
atrocities metted out for the residents in the asylum in her story ‘Ten Days in a
Madhouse’.(Serrin and Serrin 2002; Steele 1993)
Some critics claim that there was presence of partisan flair in some of the investigative pieces
after the advent of Penny Press.
Ida B. Wells was another important investigative journalist of this period; who exposed the mob
lynching of African American people in her newspaper. In 1892, she reported horrific mob
lynching of three African-American businessmen in Memphis. She condemned such brutality
and also exposed on variety of crucial issues. Because of her expose, white mobs vandalized
her printing press. She also wrote about the racial tension, discord and violence; based on the
skin color and apartheids. She also reported mass murder of 728 black men and women by the
white supremacist mob.
The journalists of this period covered exposes on issues such as human rights abuses, taboo
subjects like prostitution, conditions of poor slum dwellers, financial embezzlement, abuse of
power by the court, extra-marital of powerful figures and so on.

20
The period between 1902 and 1911 is often regarded as the “Golden Age” of investigative
journalism in the west. Public service journalism seems to have flourished a lot during this era.
It seems muckraking was much developed in this period than that of previous period.
Lincoln Steffens exposed the rampant municipal corruption in ‘The Shame of the Cities’ in
1904. Steffens wrote about widespread corruption in municipal office and public not taking
measures against it, for McClure’s Magazine.
Ida Tarbell exposed the crimes of the John D. Rockefeller’s Standard oil in McClure’s
Magazine in 1904. She exposed how Standard oil had unfairly monopolized the entire process
of production, drilling and distribution of crude oil in America; by rigging railroad
infrastructure.
Upton Sinclair was known for his 1906 undercover reporting of Chicago-based meat-packing
plants in his novel ‘The Jungle’. He exposed harsh conditions and exploitation of immigrants in
Chicago as well as health violations and unsanitary practices in meat-packing. He also wrote
about corruption, poverty and exploitation of Lithuanian workers in the industry.
By the year 1906, the combined sales of ten magazines focused on muckraking managed to
reach total circulation of 3,000,000. In this century, there were few investigative stories
published during the World War II. Everyone focused more on war and conflicts situation and
people were wary of defying the authority.
Most of the studies claimed that Benjamin Harris carried out early investigative journalism in
his newspaper ‘Publick Occurrences’ in 1960…investigated human rights abuse and torture of
the prisoner of wars. (Steffens, 1998)

21
In 1972, The Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward exposed the
Watergate Scandal; which marks the historical turning point in investigative journalism. They
exposed a break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in the
Watergate office in Washington D.C.; and criminal alliance and cover-up of President Richard
V. Nixon. With enough evidences and massive outrage of angry citizens, President Nixon
resigned from his post in 1974.
During the 1970s, it was the battle between press and government; to attack each other. Mainly,
it was battle between Federalist and Republican. Investigative journalism used to be used for
the purpose of propaganda and report wrongdoings of the rival. There was dominance of
partisan tone in the media during the period. Press sponsored by the media by certain political
parties used investigative journalism to report and frame the rival opposition only
By the latter half of the 19th century; investigative journalism in America seems to have shifted
to commercial tone, in its entirety. Urbanization, use of cheaper technology for publication,
telegraph, illustrations and mass dissemination, increase in literacy and drop in prices; created
avenue for the press to increase supply and demand. Self-sustenance and profits ensured that
investigative journalism transform to the broader social responsibility. During the period, such
investigative news was in much demand among the literate immigrants and rural workers.
‘By the 1950s, investigative journalism had reached the lowest point of the century. Objectivity
and deference to the authority had become dominant journalistic norms.’ (Protess, 1991)
However, the 1960s saw the birth of reinvigorated investigative journalism; with the younger
generation of muckrakers reviving the genre. They began investigative reporting on varieties of
issues such as segregation, racial tension, Vietnam War, political corruption, abuse of power
and authority, corporate malfeasance, etc. and more.

22
The growth and expansion of the national and local investigative teams in the alternative,
mainstream and elite publications alike brought much-needed change in investigative
journalism.
The Great Depression era failed to revive investigative journalism to the glory. Very few
investigative exposes appeared during the period, but they were either neglected or forgotten.
Few investigative journalists kept their lonely crusades going; and focused more on political
scandals and investigation.
In America, the 20th
century is often regarded as ‘The Golden Era of Investigative Journalism”.
The 20th
century investigative journalism also saw the rise of yellow journalism, sensationalized
by the like of Joseph Pulitzer. Some of the news stories featured exaggeration, wrongful data,
and breach of privacy and much priority on scandals and affairs of powerful figures. When
Pulitzer began to sell his works in The World (NYC’s crime newspapers) with sensational
headlines; news turned into business and entertainment.
Throughout its history, investigative journalism has seen many ups and downs. Investigative
journalism has faced various applauses at times and criticisms at other times. The muckrakers
have been considered as heroes for their coverage and villains at other times.
Some critics praise investigative journalism for taking a stand against corrupt authority,
bureaucracy and business; while other critics claim that it was a result of elitist and selfish
bunch of journalists trying to defame others, bring others down and protect their own interests,
resources and social positions.

23
Some of the reasons can be summarized in the following points as:
 Amelioration of the Industrial Revolution’s worst abuses
 Decline in the public interests
 Public reluctance to disobey and oppose the authority and government for longer time
 Commercialization and Capitalism in journalism practices
 Media conglomeration/ consolidation eliminated magazine outlets for muckrakers
During this period, muckraking became more popular, prominent, and expanded its coverage,
audiences, scopes and issues/ subject matters. It became more ubiquitous and national in scope.
Various researchers and historians have cited various reasons for the demise of the ‘Golden Age
of investigative journalism’ in the early 20th century; across the globe.
Ironically, this proliferation seems to be possible by the very industrialized capitalism that they
exposed earlier. There was a rise in demand for such breaking investigative stories, advertising
and dissemination.
The corporate media gained momentum in this era. The growth and progress of nation-wide
newspapers and magazines ensured that investigative journalists could utilize press as primary
delivery system.
The current era of investigative journalism seems to have capitalized on the technological
advancement, networked communication, innovative outreach and massive collaborative
campaigns to do impactful exposes. As per the GIJN, there are 3 major focal points to consider
in today’s muckraking: Open-ness, systematic and cross-border collaboration.

24
The New York Times muckraker Andrew Lehren claims that today’s muckraking hugely
depends on deeper data mining and analysis as well as networked collaboration between the
journalists.
Various media outlets such as The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The Telegraph, The New
York Times, The New York Post, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Open Society
Foundations, etc. have dedicated teams to oversee muckraking.
Today’s muckraking is focused on multitude of issues such as corruption, bureaucratic failures,
failed diplomacy, terrorism, war and conflict- related crimes, lapses in security services, human
rights abuses, global warming, climate change, torture of Prisoner of Wars in war torn regions,,
ozone depletion, human rights crises, slavery, human trafficking, large scale drugs and weapons
smuggling, environment, etc.
Most of the literature reviews seemed to be focused on investigative journalism in America.The
researcher has presented historical evolution of investigative journalism in American context as
most of the reviews have been focused on American muckraking.
Not much detail has been known about how did muckraking spread from one region to another.
But, it is estimated that investigative journalism stared in the Europe during the late half of
19th
century. Stella Paul is of the opinion that investigative journalism began in Asia during the
late 19th
century.
Peter the Great created the 1st
newspaper in Russia in 1703. Russian media landscape was under
direct control of Tsarist governments during the 18th
and 19th
century.
(Moilanen, 2014, pg. 14)

25
It is widely believed that Russian muckraking had started during the late 19th
century.
Journalists are often harassed, abused, stifled by the administration in Russia. Journalists in
Russia (including muckrakers) suffer a lot due to the tight regime, authoritarian government,
budget and resources crunch,
‘Russia has been listed as riskiest countries in the world for journalism by Committee to Protect
Journalists (CPJ) twice in 2012 and 2013.’ (Moilanen, 2014, page 8)
Russian journalism faced major setback during the regime of Vladimir V. Putin; as his
administration re-criminalized journalism that threatened his reign; with punishment of 5 years
imprisonment and/ or fine of 500,00 rubles ($15,000).

26
Chapter 3
Research Methodology
3.1 Research Design:
Research design is a vital aspect in the research process. It is a strategic placement of various
procedures, tactics and style for the research process. It refers to logical, tactical and
algorithmic integration of the research procedure. (Adhikary, 2016)
It is also called as ‘blueprint’ that dictates how to treat one’s research process. It acts as a
guidepost for the researcher to work on their research process with guidelines for what to study,
where to look for the information, how to arrange the sample, format of research, major
objectives and aims of the study, etc.
Mainly, research design is crucial in the breakdown of researcher’s roles, responsibilities and
activities in a research process. It is a set framework under which researcher acts upon.
According to Burns and Grove (2003), research design is a ‘study blueprint with maximum
control over factors interfering with the validity of the findings.’
This research study primarily focuses on the historical evolution of investigative journalism in
Nepal and its present status as well as summarizes major challenges and opportunities in
muckraking.

27
In this study, both qualitative and quantitative approaches are utilized to collect and analyze the
data. However, much importance has been given to quantitative approach over qualitative one.
To explore the research issue, this researcher has decided to mix both qualitative and
quantitative research approaches.
This section discusses about selection of approach, major objectives, data collection methods
and specific areas considered for the study.
This research has been based on documents and content analysis of sixty pieces of investigative
news published in various dailies and weeklies. The newspapers have been randomly selected
based on availability of English and Nepali language weekly and daily newspapers and
magazines; such as ‘Nagarik’, ‘Shikshyak’, ‘Himal’, ‘Nepal’, ‘Blast’, ‘Shukrabaar’, ‘Saptahik’,
Republica, ‘Annapurna Post’, etc.
The newspapers and magazines from 2007 to 2017 have been selected at random to analyze the
published investigative news. Since, government owned publications does not engage in
investigative journalism nowadays; only private publications have been considered for analysis.
The selection has been made on the basis of geo-political areas of coverage, incorporating all
three regions.
Various investigative journalists associated with various media firms will be interviewed to
collect data for this research. The journalists have been selected based on their professional
experiences, issues covered and primary acquaintance during Investigative Journalism Asia
Conference 2016. The selected investigative journalists have experience of working in the
sector for ten years. And, they have experienced muckraking both inside Kathmandu Valley
and outside the Valley.

28
3.2 Research Approach:
This research was carried out based on the quantitative approach of content analysis of
published investigative news as well as qualitative approach of interview.
The quantitative research approach helped generate numerical data which can be used to test
and analyze the given research questions. It was helpful in providing factual statistics. This
researcher relied primarily on the quantitative method to acquire information about historical
evolution, and present scenario of investigative journalism in Nepal.
The secondary research approach used in this study is qualitative approach. It was done in order
to interpret, analyze and present the ideas, views and opinions of the concerned interviewees.
For content Analysis, initially this researcher opted to study the contents of three major
newspapers: The Kathmandu Post, The Himalayan Times and Republica (July issues). But, as
results gained was not satisfactory, the plan had to be changed. Out of the earlier reviewed
media of July, there were only to investigative exposes.
For the content analysis; the researcher decided to study and analyze investigative news in
newspapers, magazine, CIJ journals, and other reports. The researcher opted to study those 60
investigative pieces published in various weeklies and dailies; as there were more investigative
news reports for the researcher to study and analyze.
The researcher used open-ended interview approach with ten investigative journalists, editors,
member of Federation of Nepalese Journalists , Press Council representative and publishers.
Due to time constraint, the researcher was able to ask them eight questions only.

29
Most of the high-profile investigative journalists couldn’t be contacted as they were busy in on-
the-field reporting, providing training, and/ or attending meetings, seminars, etc. By high-
profile, this researcher meant most popular and well-known faces of Nepali investigative
journalism.
3.3 Universe and Sampling:
For this research study, 60 published investigative news and reportages published on various
newspapers of the past ten years (2007 to 2017) was set as the universe of this research. Some
of those newspapers were from the Kathmandu Valley and some were from outside of the
Kathmandu Valley. Most of the news was from newspapers; while others are from journals,
reports, booklet and magazines.
For interview, the researcher contacted the concerned journalists and editors and was given
appointment for the interviews. The sampled source of interviews was ten journalists, editors,
representatives of Press Council Nepal and FNJ, and publishers. The chosen journalists work
across various media platforms- print, online, electronic and news agency in Kathmandu
Valley. Two of them had worked for few years as investigative journalists outside Kathmandu
Valley.
This researcher has used simple random sampling method for the selection of the contents and
interviewees. Herein, samples of research are chosen randomly from a larger audience; based
on the pre-determined reasons.
Here, each selected samples had equal probability of being selected. The chosen interviews may
or may not have needed answers for the research.

30
The initial plan to conduct stratified sampling interviewees had to scraped due to budget and
time constraint.
3.4 Method of Data Collection:
Data collection is a vital process in research design, which ensures that all the required
variables and information needed for analysis are acquired by the researcher. In data collection,
various sources are used to collect, label and quantify the data and information.
This process helps the researcher to find answers to the research queries, solve hypotheses, test
and evaluate the research hypotheses/ questions. Data collection is crucial source for acquisition
of data and information in every sector such as health, education, social sciences, ethnography,
culture studies, gender studies, etc.
For the study, both primary and secondary sources were employed by the researcher. The
National Library, Kaiser Library, Madan Purashkar Pustakalaya Library, Martin Chautari,
Freedom Forum, PANOSA, UNESCO, Social Science Baha: were extensively visited to inquire
about the history and evolution of investigative journalism in Nepal.
Both weeklies and dailies newspapers as well as magazines were collected, studied and
analyzed to get insights on the research topic.
After my initial stratified sampling didn’t yield satisfactory results, the researcher opted to do
random simple sampling of randomly chosen newspapers. The investigative news published in
‘Kantipur’, ‘Nagarik’ and ‘Annapurna Post’; and magazines such as ‘Himal’, ‘Nepal’,
‘Sadhana’ and ‘Shiksyak’ were studied and analyzed during this process. These newspapers and
magazines were randomly chosen due to their popularity and widespread coverage.

31
The reasons for choosing ten interviewee journalists have been mentioned earlier. The major
tag words or key word used during the research have been mentioned in ‘Abstract’ section. It
took researcher about two weeks to meet, interview and collate data from the selected
muckrakers.
The findings and discussion based on the analysis of documents and content analysis as well as
interviews have been presented and discussed based on the code sheet. The researcher used
following coding system to analyze the findings: History, Investigative News, Sources, Author/
Reporters, Issues/ Thematic aspects, impacts of reportage, ethical understanding, regulations,
etc.
For the data collection required for the research study, this researcher read and analyzed various
investigative stories published in sixty different newspapers and magazines, consulted and
interviewed ten experienced investigative journalists, took notes and recorded audio of
interviews in recorder, transcribed those audio into texts and assigned different variables and
coding for easier analysis.
3.5 Methods of Data Analysis:
Data Analysis refers to process of evaluating collected and segregated data and information
based on the assigned variables. Data analysis is crucial in maintaining balanced relationship
between the research objectives, hypotheses or research questions.
The researcher has analyzed the acquired data and information into various chunks of variables
such as thematic contents, focal aspects of news, gender perspectives of news source and news
writer, bylines (whether it is given or not), etc.

32
To understand the current status of investigative journalism in Nepal, various variables such as
threats, trends, news coverage, impacts, tools, etc. have also been considered.
Furthermore, all the responses and content analysis were analyzed and presented in numerical
forms (texts, percentage and number).
The analysis has been based as per the pre-defined objectives, research questions, and purpose
of the study. The analysis was helpful in reaching the certain conclusions for this research
study.
3.6 Limitations:
The initial research finding was deemed vague and complex. So, the study had to be re-modeled
as per the new instructions and guidelines.
The limitation with this study was the constraint of time and resources. As there is very limited
documentation and archival of investigative journalism in Nepal, it was daunting task of going
through the old records and newspapers safely archived and microfilmed by the Libraries.
About the journalists interviewed to collect data on certain variables, most of the high-profiles
investigative journalists either changed their scheduled appointments at later date or were
unable to give more time for discussion.
As a sole researcher conducted the study, some discrepancies might be found in this research.
Due to time limitations, randomly selected investigative news has been analyzed for this
research; from 2007 to 2017 A.D.; but all the folios have been extensively studied.

33
Chapter 4
Findings
This chapter presents the major findings of extensive research study; in line with the set
research questions, objectives and significances. The researcher have discussed about the
overall status of investigative journalism in Nepal; based on mixed approach of qualitative and
quantitative research. The results presented herein will help to clarify the history and evolution
of the investigative journalism in Nepal, present status, trends practiced by the investigative
reporters, major challenges and opportunities in Nepal’s context.
To make it easier for the readers to understand the findings of this research study, this chapter
has been divided into three major sections.
In the first section, the result shows how investigative journalism emerged and evolved in
Nepal.
The second section focuses more on the present scenario of investigative journalism in Nepal.
Various data has been shown as evidences to prove the points forwarded by the researcher. In
this section, various results has been drawn out, based on the gender perspectives, professional
matters, thematic issues covered, tools and techniques used, organizations involved in
investigative journalism, resources, source analysis, impacts, funding, etc.
The third section focuses on the major challenges and opportunities in investigative journalism.
It has been based on the remarks and experiences of the interviewed journalists and annual
reports published by FNJ and Press Council.

34
4.1 Research Question No. 1
This section aims to present the research findings about the history and evolution of
investigative journalism in Nepal; based on study of archives materials and interviews.
Not much has been elaborately known about the history and evolution of investigative
journalism in Nepal. No one seems to know exactly who introduced investigative journalism
and how it came to be in Nepali media industry. Various scholars and practitioners seem to
have different opinion on the matter. Some of them believe that the advent of investigative
journalism began in Nepal from 1960. And, there are others who opine that it had its humble
beginning from 1963 onwards.
Investigative journalist Homnath Dahal opines that the dissolution of the elected government by
the then King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah in 1960 planted seed of investigative journalism in
Nepal.
Aside from disbanding the government, King Mahendra imposed ban on all political parties
and; arrested and imprisoned various party leaders. When King Mahendra controlled the nation;
he stifled public opinion, press freedom and suppressed the opinions of dissident parties.
The editor of ‘Kalpana’ magazine, Taarani Prasad Koirala, was arrested and imprisoned by the
authority for writing expose against the cruelty of King Mahendra, back then. (Dahal, Martin
Chautari, 2012)
Upon analyzing the past documents; it seems that earlier form of investigative journalism in
Nepali press was about investigating hidden secrets and information by the authority and
bringing them out in the public.

35
‘Various publications such as ‘Kalpana’weekly magazine, ‘Samikshya’, ‘Dainik Nepal’,
‘Dainik samaaj’, ‘The Commoner’ (English), ‘Nepal Times’ , ‘Raastra Pukaar’daily
newspapers, etc. suffered crackdown and other problems; due to their investigative news
reporting.’ (MPP archives, 2018)
Journalist Mohan Mainali believes that it is ‘almost impossible to deduce the history of
investigative journalism in Nepal; since there is inconsistency in the archived newspapers in the
Libraries as well as loss of some of the printed newspapers.’ (Mainali, 2018)
The publications that exposed the authoritarian government either got banned forever or their
publications ceased immediately. Furthermore, the staff and editors of those publications were
harassed, penalized and imprisoned by the government. Also, stringent censorship was heavily
imposed on the press those days. (Rajeev Singh, 2018)
The press also suffered due to low circulation, limited access to publications and limited
readership. As the government had kept close vigil on that press, there was heavy scrutiny of
the contents. (Dahal, 2016)
Limited investigative journalism was carried out till 1971 by the press due to illiterate mass,
government scrutiny, heavy censorship and judicial restriction. Furthermore, journalists had
limited access to the government records; and some had to work covertly.
Some of the publications such as ‘Samikshya’, ‘dainik Nepal’, ‘dainik samaaj’, ‘The
Commoner’ (English), ‘Nepal Times’ , ‘Raastra Pukaar’, etc. were allowed for distribution to
the public only after approval of zonal chiefs (‘Anchalaadhish’) and Magistrate offices.
(MPP archives, 2018)

36
Some of the documents and old newspapers microfilmed at Madan Purashkar Pustakalaya
(MPP) suggest that about a dozen newspapers did investigative reporting on the issues such as
corruption, local administration failure, cruelty of Panchayat regime, wrongdoings of Rana
regime, etc.
Till 1971, Nepali press doing investigative reporting were controlled, penalized and sanctioned
by the government via various rules, regulations, bills, etc. The government arrested and
imprisoned staff and editors, seized publication equipment, levied heavy taxation, cancelled
license permits, and imposed heavy censorship on the press. Despite all this, some publications
dared to do mission journalism and investigation about various issues.
After 1971, various newspapers were published that did investigative journalism. Some of the
prominent ones of the period were ‘Khoj Talaas’, ‘Ramajham’, ‘Ranko’, ‘Masaal’, ‘Philingo’,
‘Jhilko’, ‘vidroha’, ‘Raastra Vaani’, etc.
In 1971, King Mahendra’s control and authority over administration and media gradually
weakened; after suffering from second heart attack. He had suffered from first heart attack
during his hunting trip to Suklaphanta Wildlife Reservation Area in 1968 A.D. Then, various
weeklies registered and started operation, capitalizaing on the weakened control of King
Mahendra.
When Homnath Dahal became editor of ‘Raastra Pukaar’ in 1970, the mission of publication
was to serve as common platform for those who believe in strong democracy. The newspaper
did expose about corruption, wrongdoings of Panchayat regime, violence, bureaucratic crises,
financial embezzlement, misuse of authority by those in power, etc.

37
Most of the newspapers in 1974 seem to focus on rampant corruption in government, local
administration and misuse of power and authority. True investigative journalism wasn’t
practiced in the earlier era, as press wasn’t much impactful and stronger; and most of the
population was illiterate. (Kharel, 2018)
Gorkhapatra seem tohave done investigative journalism at one point; by reporting about
corruption, when Ganesh Kumar Pokhrel exposed corruption in the court in 1974 The Nepal
Bar Association moved the court against Pokhrel claiming that the expose was in contempt of
court. Later, the court asked Rastriya Panchayat for citation of reasons. Very few press dared to
report against the Panchayat system; in fear of retribution by the government.
Journalist Hari Bahadur Thapa believes that it was difficult to practice investigative journalism
in its truest sense at that time; fearing sanctions and legal punishment from the Panchayat
government. He further opines that some press used investigative journalism as a tool against
opposition, spreading propaganda news, frame opposition by exposing their exposes or secrets.
He believes that there was no proper validation and verification of the facts presented in such
investigative pieces.
‘The Commoner’ published an expose of corruption in 1973; wherein it exposed massive graft
done by dozen government officers in purchase of carpets, by bypassing existing taxation and
excise duties. The expose indicted the then Finance Minister Bhesh Bahadur Thapa, Minister of
Industry and Commerce Dr. Harka Gurung, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) governor Kul Shekhar
Sharma, etc. in graft scandal. Later on, ‘Rastra Pukaar’ did further follow-up investigation into
the matter. In 1975, newspapers like ‘Rastra Pukaar’, ‘Samikshya’, and ‘Nepal Times’ faced
cancellation of license and seizure of equipment, due to their exposes.

38
Furthermore, there was constant monitoring and supervision of editors, reporters and contents.
Newspapers weren’t sent for publication unless approved by the government representatives.
There were also restrictions imposed on distribution cycles of newspapers in the marketplace.
Heavy censorship was another problem for them. Some of the newspapers and magazines doing
investigative coverage had to be printed from secret location in India.
In 1980, various newspapers covered the people’s referendum of Nepal. It was strict and tough
environment for the press to engage in active journalism (let alone cover investigative
reportages). When Panchayat regime became victorious in the referendum; they tightened their
grip over press. The new government stifled public opinion, access to news and restricted
practice of free journalism. Limited investigative journalism seems to have been done during
the period and; majority of them were apparently destroyed by the authority.
When Press Freedom, Right to Information and Freedom of Speech and Expression became
more threatened by the Panchayat authority; various protests and dissident opinions erupted.
Press protested against the Panchayat’s decision to stifle free press and journalism by
publishing newspapers sans editorials. Some even published a blank page or folio, in protest.
The international community and media organization also expressed their solidarity for their
protests and gave their support, wholeheartedly.
After 1983, there was a division among the journalists and press. One side was with the
Panchayat regime and another side was against the Panchayat regime. There was an instance
wherein, both sides engaged in war and propaganda against one another.
In 1984, majority of weeklies focused an expose of the Lokendra Bahadur Chand-led
government taking loan amounting to one billion Dollars from the third parties at lowest
interest rate.

39
The expose came to be known as ‘Dollar Scandal’ in Nepali media. The issue was topic of
conversation in public sphere and received extensive media coverage for a whole year.
At the latter half of Panchayat regime, the weeklies also exposed graft by top-ranking
government officials: D.B. Lama and Barat Gurung. D.B. Lama served as Inspector General of
Police (IGP). While, Gurung served as Chief Inspector as well as aide-de-camp (ADC) to the
then King Birendra. The weeklies investigated and published the detailed account of their
uncredited properties as a series of expose. The headquarters of Police held them guilty of
amassing wealth by illegal means as head of the army; and prosecuted them with joint graft
worth 5 million rupees. Aside from graft charges, Gurung was also prosecuted in charge of
murder, storage of illegal drugs, abetting in drug peddling across the country, sales and
acquisition of unaccounted foreign currencies.
Before 1991, there were two significant groups of investigative journalists. One group devoted
themselves in service to the Panchayat government and received the favorable government
supports, subsidies, and privileges.
While, another group of investigative journalists actively defied the Panchayat regime and were
often scorned and scrutinized by the government. They also didn’t get any subsidy from the
government.
The weeklies like ‘Deshantar Saptahik’, ‘Saptahik Bimarsha’ and ‘Sadhana’ did proactive
investigative journalism during the era of 1980s and 1990s.
After the restoration of democracy post people’s movement –I in 1990, Nepali journalism
sector received a facelift. More and more press outlets popped up; as the constitution of the
Kingdom of Nepal – 1990 guaranteed Press Freedom, Freedom of Speech and Expression, etc.

40
Furthermore, the new constitution ensured that no journalist shall be held liable and penalized
and/ or imprisoned for writing expose; and no press media shall be subjected to cruel
censorship, cancellation of license and equipment seizure. Investigative journalism also got
recognition and capitalized on this to expand.
‘Sadhana’ weekly holds a special place in discourse about prominent investigative journalism in
Nepal. It pioneered investigative journalism and did expose on plethora of issues such as health,
politics, business, environment, industries, culture, traditions, heritage sites, education, NGOs/
INGOs, etc. ‘Sadhana’ proactively stayed true to the spirit of muckraking by doing journalism
of courage and outrage.
‘Kantipur’, ‘Nepali Times’, ‘Space Times’ and ‘Himal’ seem to have engaged in investigative
journalism along with traditional ones; since their inception. However, ‘Space Times’ceased its
publications after owner Jamim Shah was murdered in Lazimpat, Kathmandu. The owners and
editors of newspapers such as ‘Kantipur’, and ‘The Kathmandu Post’ were threatenedby
unidentified callers of physical attacks if coverage on Shah’s murder was not halted.
In 1993, ‘Kantipur’ daily exposed the rampant corruption inside Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC)
and the then Royal Nepal Airlines. The daily even created a specific beat and assigned reporters
to ovesee activities and proceedings of NOC. The publication also did expose of acquisition and
trading of materials donated by foreign aid agencies for Nepal’s rural communities by private
sector.
In the history of investigative journalism in Nepal; the major weekly and daily publications that
published a number of exposes include Kalpana, Samikshya, Dainik Nepal, Dainik Samaaj, The
Commoner, Nepal Times, Rastra Pukaar, Ramjham, Philingo, Sahi Aavaaj, etc.

41
4.2 Research Question no. 2
The results of study based on the content analysis of 60 various investigative news and
interviews have been utilized to compile this section. To understand the present scenario of
investigative journalism, this section will be divided into seven different sub-sections.
This researcher has divided this section into 7 sub-sections to make it easier to comprehend the
present status of investigative journalism in Nepal.
1. Investigative Journalism during 2017 election
In the year 2017, local level elections were held by the government in three different phases.
Similarly, the government also organized election for the provincial and federal parliament.
Press Council, FNJ, press unions and other stakeholders claim that investigative journalists are
at most risk of being under attack during election. Press Council and FNJ note that during the
election, journalists investigating breach of electoral code of conducts, financial spending
beyond election commission’s direction, manipulation of voters and other issues received
threats to life, career, family and property.
In the year, the state and political parties seem to be more involved in arrest of the investigative
journalists and / or hampering the process of reporting. Even judicial system played a spoilsport
in this regard by forcing journalists to reveal the source of news.
2. Women in Investigative Journalism
It wasn’t exactly revealed in any of the research and survey as to when did women foray into
investigative journalism in Nepal. But, in the present scenario; there are some important
investigative journalism done by women.

42
During 2015 earthquake of 7.9 Magnitude, some of the media houses seem to have employed
women to investigate the matters of sexual harassment in the relief camps, financial
embezzlement in the name of quake victims, corruption in local level, etc.
Earlier, most of the investigative news seems to be written by men journalists. Whereas, the
current era has seen rise of women journalists covering some investigative reportages.
However, this researcher noticed how women journalists covering investigative exposes are
often limited to do expose about issues pertaining to health, education, and maternity hospitals,
pharmaceutical and so on. While, men had more investigative coverage to their bylines.
I. Instances of Violation of Press Freedom and Investigative Journalism
Table 2: Instances of Violation of Press Freedom and Attacks against the Journalists
(Including Investigative Journalism as well)
Nature of
Events
Province
No. 1
Province
No. 2
Province
No. 3
Province
No. 4
Province
No. 5
Province
No. 6
Province
No. 7
Total
Events
Murder - - - - - - - -
Arrest 1 - 6 2 4 1 2 16
Missing in
Action (M.I.A.)
- - 1 - - - - 1
Seizure/
Interruption
- - 6 - - - - 6
Assaults 2 - 3 3 2 3 4 17
Gender - - - - - - - -

43
Violence
Threats/
Misbehavior
- 5 8 4 1 - 1 19
Displacement - - - - - - - -
Professional
Insecurity
- - - - - - - -
Policy Barriers - - 3 - - - 3
Total Events 3 5 27 9 7 4 7 62
(Source- Reports analysis of FNJ journal)
In the aforementioned table, the number of violence against journalists is shown. Since, FNJ
doesn’t keep database of investigative journalists; and journalists doesn’t identify themselves as
investigative journalists, exact number of investigative journalists working across various
media cannot be ascertained. However, chief information officer of FNJ claims that the
aforementioned table includes records f investigative journalists as well.
The table shows that Province no. 3 faced maximum 27 cases of violence; for engaging in
journalism. The same table shows that Province no. 1 faced least number of violence cases i.e.
3. Similarly, Province no. 5 and 7 tie themselves with equal number of violence i.e. 7 cases.
Province no. 4 faced 9 cases of violence, Province no. 2 faced 5 cases of violence, and Karnali
Province (formerly Province no.6) faced 4 cases of violence.
When investigative journalism comes to mind, people automatically think about the Centre for
Investigative Journalism (CIJ).

44
During the course of the research, the researcher realized that CIJ isn’t the only body
conducting investigative journalism in Nepal. At present, there are hundreds of newspapers and
magazines registered and; operating all across Nepal.
1. Organizations involved in Investigative Journalism
Table 3: Organizations doing Investigative Journalism in Nepal
S.No. Organization Name
1 Centre for Investigative Journalism
2 Himal Media
3 PANOSA / Panos South Asia
4 South Asia Check
5 Nepal Press Institute
6 Asmita Samuha
7 Nepal Federation of Environment Journalists
(NEFEJ)
8 Ujyalo Foundation
9 Freidrich Ebert Stiftung- Nepal
10 Editor’s Society of Nepal
11 South Asia and Communication Corner
12 Open Society Foundation

45
Apart from the aforementioned organizations, investigative journalism has been given special
privilege by the media houses across Nepal. However, there is a gap between bigger and
smaller media houses; employing investigative journalists. Since investigative journalism is
extensive, lengthy and risky journalistic practice, only bigger media organizations with much
resource and money seem to spend on investigative journalism.
Furthermore, not all investigative journalists seem to have taken membership with
aforementioned organizations. There are certain investigative journalists who work as
freelancer journalists; and have both direct and indirect involvement in Nepal’s media scenario.
Due to increasing global connection and opportunities; Nepalese investigative journalists have
been able to work on cross-border investigative journalism on multitude of issues ranging from
local politics to global terrorism.
Table 4: Major Investigative Newspapers and Magazines in Nepal (Currently)
S.No. Newspapers and Magazines
1 Kantipur – The Kathmandu Post
2 Himal – Nepali Times
3 ‘Annapurna Post’
4 ‘Nagarik’- Republica
5 ‘Nepal Samacharpatra’
6 ‘Rajdhani’
7 The Himalayan Times
8 ‘Nayaa Patrika’ Daily
9 ‘Karobar’ – New Business Age

46
10 ‘Aartik Abhiyaan’
11 ‘Saptahik’
12 ‘Shukrabaar’
13 ‘Blast Saptahik’
14 ‘Budhabaar’
15 ‘Dristi’
16 ‘Jaljala Saptahik’
17 ‘Ghatana ra Bichaar’
18 ‘Naya Bimarsha’
19 ‘Saptahik Bimarsha’
20 ‘Nepali Patra’
21 ‘Raj Tilak’
22 ‘Akhabaar’
23 ‘Arpan’
24 ‘Indreni’
25 ‘Madhesh Vaani’
26 ‘Pratipatra’
27 ‘Nava Janata’
28 ‘Jana Prahaar’
29 ‘Himalaya Times’
30 ‘Jana Sawaal’
31 ‘Mukti Sandesh’
32 ‘Samaya’
33 ‘Sadhana health’
34 ‘Jana Swasthya’
35 ‘Swasthya’

47
36 ‘Roadmap’
37 ‘Khaas Khabar’
The table above shows some of the list of influential newspapers and magazines in Nepal; that
have also engaged in significant investigative research and reportages.
Media Scholar Bhanu Bhakta Acharya believes that though Nepal has seen certain increase in
the number of investigative journalists, compared to the last two decades; the field hasn’t been
much impactful.
FNJ doesn’t register journalists taking membership with the organization as investigative
journalists; exact number of investigative journalists hasn’t been recorded.
1. Some of the impactful investigative news coverage
Table 5: Major Impactful Investigative News Coverage
Being media enthusiast and aspiring journalist, this researcher have found some of the exposes
done by Nepalese media quite groundbreaking and impactful. Some of those investigative news
can be as tabulated below:
S.No. Investigation Impacts
1 Investigation in Gadhimai mass sacrifices + public
protests
End of animal sacrifices
there
2 Monsanto Seeds + Genetically Modified Organisms Exit of Monsanto Seeds

48
(GMO) from Nepal
3 Distribution of sub-standard foods by World Food
Program (WFP) to quake victims in 2015
Massive outcry against WFP
chief
4 Nepali Girls trafficked to India in brothels and circus Successful rescue of those
girls
5 Expose of Medical Mafias Sparked debate, discussion
in public sphere and mass
movement
6 TU Thesis on Sale Commission formed to
investigate the matter but,
output not presented in the
public
7 Fakes birth and education certificates of the chief
justices of the Supreme Court and Army officials
Dismissal from their jobs.
8 Apartments and Buildings Damaged by 2015
Earthquake
Safety measures, inspections
and use of quality materials
Apart from aforementioned exposes, other exposes have also sparked significant debate,
discussion and forced the government to adopt changes.
Pramod Acharya not only made people aware about how various stakeholders are involved in
the sales of theses and how some lazy students and professors seem to have killed creativity.
Acharya’s expose not only revealed how students and professors made theses as a means of
reaping economic benefits instead of academic gains; but also how deep the network goes.

49
Bhrikuti Rai’s investigative expose of fake doctor Yeshe Lodoe Lama revealed how some fake
doctors with fake certificates have been employed without prior checking of credentials and
further financial embezzlement by Yeshe regarding the CITTA hospital building and donated
medicines.
Kanak Mani Dixit’s expose of the last minute ‘confusion in the cockpit’ just before tragic crash
of USS Bangla airplane in 2018; not only exposed the poor infrastructure at Tribhuvan
International Airport (TIA), but also technical confusion between runway 02 and 20.
2. Additional Findings Based on Content Analysis of 60 Investigative News
Based on the analysis of 60 different investigative news published in the various newspapers
and magazines, the obtained data are as presented in the figures below:
Fig. 1: Figure of male and female investigative journalists (on Analyzed Investigative News)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Male
Female
Unspecified
Gender Ratio of Investigative
Journalists

50
Based on the content analysis of 60 investigative news stories published in various weeklies,
newspapers and magazines; there are more men working as investigative journalists. About 40
investigative stories were credited to men, while 20 women were credited for investigative
exposes.
Thematic Analysis of the published Investigative News
Talking about the thematic contents of the published investigative news; this researcher found
that most of the investigative exposes focused on corruption in local level.
The breakdown of thematic contents in the analyzed investigative news is as given below;
Table 6: Thematic Aspect in Analyzed Investigative News
S.No. Thematic Aspect Number of News
1 Health 7
2 Religion 3
3 Trafficking 4
4 Politics 9
5 Corruption 11
6 Judiciary 2
7 Gender violence 6
8 Environment 3
9 Crime 6
10 Women Trafficking 4
11 Education 4
12 Terrorism 1
TOTAL NEWS 60

51
The above table shows the number of investigative new focused on assigned thematic aspect.
Out of the 60 news analyzed for the study, mostly sought after theme for investigation was
corruption and least was terrorism. During the last decade, majority of corruption at local
administration, government bodies and offices was investigated.11 investigative news was
focused on corruption issues. Most of the corruption reported during the investigation was on
local level. Only 3 corruptions at high level government bodies were investigated. The issue of
terrorism during Terai-Madhesh violence and shady terror explosion at Janakpurdham was
investigated.
News Sources in Investigative Journalism
During the content analysis of the published investigative news, this researcher came across
how the sources are based for the investigation. Most of the investigative exposes have been
carried out on the basis of paper trails, documents, surveys, interaction with the undisclosed
whistleblowers; and secretive meetings. The government publications, reports published by
various government departments and organizations, research survey conducted by an
independent researcher, research firms, monitoring of traffic, surveillance, etc. have been
extensively employed in following the investigation.
Talking about the human sources for the investigative news, the study found that most of the
sources approached for the information are male. In analysis of 60 investigative news, this
researcher found out that out of the 405 human sources interviewed for news; 318 are males and
only 87 are females.

52
Fig.2: Gender based segregation of Human Sources for investigative news
During the content analysis, this researcher came to know that out of those 60 investigative
news, 25 investigations were based on incidents outside the Kathmandu Valley. And, the
remaining 35 were based on incidents in the Kathmandu Valley.
3. Findings Based on Interview with 10 Investigative Journalists
i. Adequate knowledge of the history of Investigative Journalism in Nepal
0
20
40
60
80
Male-
Female
Sex
Ratio in
News
Source
Male Sources
Female Sources
Third Gender as Sources

53
Fig.3: Journalist’s familiarity with history of investigative journalism in Nepal.
Out of the 10 journalists interviewed, 3 responded that they are acquainted with the history of
investigative journalism in Nepal. 5 of them responded that they are not familiar with history of
investigative journalism in Nepal; and 2 were neutral.
ii. Investigative Journalism have created impacts and brought changes
0
1
2
3
4
5
Familiarity with history of Investigative Journalism in Nepal
YES
NO
Neutral

54
Fig.4: Journalist’s opinions on effectiveness of their exposes.
Among the 10 investigative journalists interviewed for the research, 2 of them strongly
disagreed that their stories had had impacts on society, 1 disagreed that to some level, his
stories had impacts, and 3 agreed that their investigative exposes had had certain impacts on
society. Similarly, 3 of them strongly agreed that their stories had ad impacts and 1 of them
held neutral opinion. 6 of those interviewees who agreed that their stories had had certain
impacts opine that their exposes brought reform in hydro projects, fruits and vegetable market,
improvement in education and sanitation, removal of corrupt bureaucrats in Jhapa, Sunsari and
Chandranigahapur.
iii. Safety Concerns of Investigative Journalists
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
Imapcts of
Investigative
News coverage
Stongly Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral

55
Fig.5: Journalist’s opinions on their professional safety concerns.
Among those ten investigative journalists interviewed, 5 of them responded that they feel
investigative journalists are safe in their profession, 3 responded that journalists are not safe and
2 of them had neutral opinion.
i. Received threats to family, profession, and lives
0
1
2
3
4
5
YES No Neutral
Safety Concerns of
Investigative Journalists

56
Fig.6: Threats to family, life and property received by interviewed journalists.
Out of the 10 interviewed journalists, 6 confessed that they have received threats to family,
professional career and lives from unidentified sources; and 4 claimed that they have not
received such threats; during their career.
5 of them revealed that their equipment were seized twelve times, while covering issues like
corruption in Nepali Congress, fund embezzlement by top bureaucrats, bribing of two
government officials for the road construction. 3 of them claimed that unidentified groups
burned their bikes back in 2012, 2005 and 2007; due to their investigative reporting.
ii. Censorship of News
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Threats
Received
YES No

57
Fig.7: Figure showing censorship faced by interviewed journalists.
Out of the 10 interviewed journalists, 5 answered that their investigative stories have been
censored multiple times. 3 claimed that they had not faced censorship in their career and 2 held
neutral opinions.
Among them, 2 of the female interviewees claimed that their exposes on Army Chief
embezzling millions from state coffers as well bypassing airport securities to allow traffickers
to smuggle tusks, hides and bones of two Bengal tigers, three elephants and one horned
rhinoceros; were censored and killed by the editor. They opined that their stories were killed
due to political pressure from the top brass at the publications.
0
1
2
3
4
5
Censorship of News
YES
NO

58
iii. Regulations effective for Investigative Journalism
Fig.8: Effectiveness of the regulations for investigative journalism.
Among 10 interviewed investigative journalists, 3 of them believed that government regulations
have been effective for investigative journalism. While, 7 of them believe that government
regulations have been effective in developing investigative journalism in the country.
During the discussion, 7 of the interviewed journalists believed that the new criminal code and
Right to Privacy Bill will only stifle Nepal’s press landscape and become thorn in their paths to
truth. They are of the opinion that such provision will hamper their objectives of being
watchdog, voice of the voiceless and, restrict their access to the crucial news sources. They
further opine that certain changes can be made in the same bill to ensure win-win situation for
both media and government; and others involved.
While, 3 of them believe that the code and privacy bill will rather make the journalists; more
proactive, patient and responsible. They are of the opinion that the bill will teach life lesson to
those journalists who take their profession for granted and often exploit or try to exploit their
0
2
4
6
8
Regulations
effective for
Investigative
Journalism
YES No

59
position as journalists for personal gains. They are of the opinion that such provisions will help
such journalists to improve their work modules, ethics and modus operandi.
iv. Future of Investigative Journalism
Majority of the interviewees believe that the future of the investigative journalism in Nepal can
be summarized. Cross-border Journalism will be future of Nepali investigative journalism as
more and more journalists collaborate across geo-political spheres to bring stories to life.
Investigative journalism has undergone through a huge metamorphosis to reach to its current
form today. Nepali journalism landscape has seen major shift in the thematic issues covered the
muckrakers.
Investigative Journalist Ram Kumar Bohara claims that ‘the future of investigative journalism
in Nepal will be dependent on multi-media format. In the future, Nepali investigative media
will employ much advanced tactics, style and modus operandi to reveal further exposes on
multitude of issues.'
Deepshika Shahi believes that the future of investigative journalism is much’ bright and better’
in Nepal. She is of the opinion that more number of women will get to cover important and high
profile coverage on multiple issues. She believes that ‘the current trend of giving women low-
profile and limited issues like religions, pregnancy, abortion, gender based violence,
agriculture, corruption in education, and etc. will be reduced in the future.’

60
Bhushan Lal Yadav is of the opinion that ‘in the future, Nepali investigative journalism will
De-centralized; and all the geo-political regions of the nation will receive equal coverage and
priorities in the media.’
The respondent from ‘Naya Patrika’ claims that ‘data journalism will gain more momentum in
the future and the future investigative journalism in Nepal will be based on proactive global,
networked and collaborative in nature.’
In the future, ‘our investigative journalists will be able to practice their journalistic
responsibilities, duties and activities with proper ethical standards, and much courage and
determination.’ (Nepal, 2016)
Furthermore, technological convergence will help boost Nepal’s Investigative Journalism. The
publications like ‘Himal’ media and Nepali Live have used technology to boost their public
outreach as make their contents interactive and multi-dimensional.
Many investigative journalists opine that there will be absolutely zero political pressure on
them in the near future. Investigative journalism will be enhanced, more connected than current
state in the future.
In the near future, networked Investigative Journalism will enable the publishers to develop,
supply and distribute quality exposes on much larger sphere with investment of limited time
and resources. Most of the respondents agree that the proactive exposes on corruption done by
high-profile officials, ministers, political party leaders and member of parliaments

61
The investigative journalists in Nepal are able to learn new techniques, approach and tools for
effective and efficient news coverage thanks to various seminars, symposiums, conferences and
membership of global organizations such as Frees Press Unlimited, Global Investigative
Journalism Network (GIJN), Investigative Journalism Network (IJ Net), etc.
4.3 Research Question no. 3
Based on the interviews, the major challenges to investigative journalism include political
pressure, violent assaults, censorship, mental torture, harassment, murder or attempts to murder,
kidnapping, equipment seizure, vandalism, editorial pressure to kill the news, abuses, arrest and
imprisonment.
There are various opportunities in investigative journalism in Nepal. First of all, very few
investigative exposes have been focused on major corruption and scandals.
Transparency International ranked Nepal in the 125th
position in the global index of countries
with rampant corruption. Investigative journalists here have the opportunity of exposing the
hidden corruption by the government (past and present) and brig fort positive changes.
Most of the participants in the interview are of the opinion that there is lot to do in Nepal’s
muckraking scenario to bring such issues to forefront; and incite changes. About 6 of them
believe that Right to Information (RTI) the journalists to achieve this feat can leverage act.
About 7 of them believe that current era holds most advantages to the journalists investigating
various serious matters; due to technological leverage, advanced technique and networked
convergence.

62
The major opportunities of the Investigative Journalism in the context of Nepal are
investigation of the high-ranking officials and government members, bringing forth positive
changes in policies, regulations and functionalities of the government. Decentralized reporting,
stronger role of watchdog, voice of the voiceless and the gatekeeper. Empower the citizens;
hold the government accountable, credible and answerable to the citizens, leverage RTI acts,
and growth of muckraking as efficient Check-and-Balance Mechanism, etc.
Discussion
The history of investigative journalism dates back to early 19th
century; in the global
perspective. Majority of the literature review and previous are much focused on American
investigative journalism. Muckraking in Nepal has undergone through multi-dimensional
changes since its early inception to current status.
In the context of Nepal, Investigative journalism was infrequently practiced during the 1960s;
exposing wrongdoings and irregularities of Mahendra Shah. Media involved in muckraking
faced various problems from the government such as license cancellation, equipment seizure,
attacks, assaults, litigations, fines, etc. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 was
drafted in 1990; upon successful people’s movement- I; giving media more power,
responsibilities and duties.
Thus, Nepali muckraking can be divided into two distinctive phases: i. Period from 1960 to
1990 and ii. Period from 1990 onwards. Various researchers and historians have cited various
reasons for the demise of the ‘Golden Age of investigative journalism’ in the early 20th
century;
across the globe.

A STUDY ON THE STATE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN NEPAL A PROJECT WORK

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