This document discusses journalism in Nepal and profiles three Nepali journalists. It describes Gopal Budhathoki, the editor of Sanghu Weekly, who was threatened over the phone and on Facebook for 10 days after publishing a story about corruption. It also describes Dekendra Thapa, a journalist who was abducted and murdered by Maoists in 2004, with his murderers being arrested in 2013. The document notes that 22 journalists fled the region in January 2013 after being threatened by ruling Maoist party cadres, who had injured 6 other journalists. While Nepali law provides for press freedom, the document concludes that journalists in Nepal face continuous threats and a state of impunity.

1. Journalism in Nepal
Ujjwal Acharya
International Academy of Journalism (Intajour) Alumni

2. Gopal Budhathoki
Editor, Sanghu Weekly

3. Gopal Budhathoki
Editor, Sanghu Weekly
• On May 3, 2013, Nepal Govt awarded him for
his 35 years’ of contribution in journalism
• Was continuously threatened of his life over
phone and Facebook for 10 days after
publication of a story about corruption in an
association working for indigenous rights
• Calls received from Malaysia and Germany
(+4915212081410)

4. Dekendra Thapa
Journalist, murdered in 2004

5. Dekendra Thapa
Journalist, murdered in 2004
• In July 2004, he was abducted & murdered by
Maoists during conflict period
• Remains of the body located after 4 years
• Police arrested 5 among 8 accused in the
murder in January 4, 2013
• Accused revealed: he was hung upside down,
beaten for weeks before burying him alive

6. Dekendra Thapa
Journalist, murdered in 2004
• Maoist Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai
expressed grief over arrest of murderers
• Journalists in region were threatened of life for
writing / following up news of arrest
• 22 journalists flee en masse on January 25 after
cadres of ruling party Maoist threatened of 10
more lives after injuring 6 journalists in a scuffle
• Returned home on 29 days after safety assurance

7. Journalism in Nepal
• Legally, the optimum freedom possible!
• Vibrant media – especially community radios
• Continuous threats against journalists
• State of Impunity

8. Thank you!
@UjjwalAcharya