An overview of "Rule of Law to Ensure Safety of Journalists and Combating Impunity" in Nepal Presented at a seminar to celebrate World Press Freedom Day on "Media Freedom for a Better Future" on 10 May 2014 Saturday at Kantipur City College, Putalisadak, Kathmandu

1. Rule of law to ensure Safety of
Journalists and Combat Impunity
A Presentation By
Yek Raj Pathak
Lecturer, MA MCJ

2. Rule of Law
Individuals, persons and government shall submit
to, obey and be regulated by law, and not
arbitrary action by an individual or a group of
individuals.

3. Impunity
The term that is understood as a failure to bring perpetrators into justice
system, which perpetuates the cycle of violence against the society and
individuals.
Impunity not only impedes the path of justice, but it also reinforces
future threats to press freedom. Attacks against media professionals
should be regarded as abuses against the society at large as they violate
the fundamental human right to freedom of expression.
William Horsley, Media scholar

4. Freedom of press
The right of publishing books, newspapers or periodicals and
broadcast news and views from electronic media without restraint
or censorship subject only to the existing laws against libel,
sedition, and indecency.

5. Status of press freedom
Preamble of the constitution 2063
Article 15, fundamental rights
Press and publication Act, 2048
National Broadcasting Act, 2049
Working Journalist Act, 2o51
Right to Information Act, 2064
Communication policy Is being drafting
Labor court

6. Violation Types
• Manhandle and Verbal Abuse
• Arson and Newspaper Burning
• Obstruction- Journos barred from entering public program
• Rape Attempt
• Sacking
• Arrest
• Vandalism
• Seizure

7. Some events of the year
Despite the year of the general election, the incidents of press
freedom violation have radically declined in Nepal. A total of 52
press freedom violations have been recorded the monitoring
period- a year from May 2013 to April 2014. Last year, the
violations stood 131. The improvement is because of
comparatively stable politics the country had.
Source: Freedom Forum

8. Who are against free press?
• Political cadres
• Security Persons (Nepal Police, Nepal Army)
• Businesspersons
• Government Employees
• Goons
• Unknown Persons
• Attack- injury, murder attempt, attack
• Threats- threats of physical attack, death threats

9. Now
Impunity is not fully ended but the independent judiciary and Labor
court has helped a lot to reduce it. Various journalists arrested by
security agencies have been released due to prompt action of the
courts. So, the level of impunity is positive to some extent.
• Attacks on media is decreasing
• Labor court established a precedent
• Media are united against their violence
• Professionalism is developed
• Media laws are being reformed
• No special law for media security

10. What to do?
• Nepal is still in transition
• Ensure press freedom in new constitution
• Needs effective vigilance
• Monitor media situation periodically
• Maintain transparency in investment
• Punish who attacks media
• Fight against impunity