Press Freedom in Nepal

Nepal

"Journalism is rooted in my mind and heart". Narayan Shrestha, presenter of political debate show Sajha Sawal describes the challenges faced by journalists in Nepal, and how his programme is encouraging freedom of information.



"Nepalis are still fighting for a fair and free media"

"I have presented Sajha Sawal ('Our Questions'), the BBC World Service Trust’s political debate programme in Nepal since it began in 2007 and I have worked in the media for over ten years.

"There are very few professional journalists in Nepal. Media is not a well paid profession, which results in poor quality content. When I was at school, only professions such as doctors or engineers were taken seriously although this is changing. When I switched my education from science to journalism, I heard a lot of negative remarks in my village, I didn’t mind as I was certain that this is what I wanted to do."

A source of information

"Radio is hugely important in Nepal. In a society where more than half of the population is illiterate and more than two thirds don’t have access to TV and Internet, radio is the only reliable source of information for most Nepali audiences.

"Sajha Sawal is broadcast weekly on radio and TV, dealing with the pressing issues most important to Nepalis. We provide the people with a chance to question their leaders and policy makers and the leaders with a chance to communicate with their people. This was not possible before the programme started.

Narayan speaks to an audience made up of soldiers

"Media practice is fairly new in Nepal. Nepalis are still fighting for a fair and free media. Accessing information is very difficult; policy makers and officials often prefer to hide information.

"However, the media is growing in Nepal and there are some young journalists trying to change the system and establish professional practices. It is a difficult profession and job security is uncertain.

"Sajha Sawal makes it more difficult for politicians to hide information from journalists."

Journalism under threat

"The political situation and economy are also very unstable. Journalists are often attacked; they face abuse and death threats. Many newspaper editors have been killed and newspapers have faced obstruction and vandalism by the government police as well as political opposition parties.

"I believe this is the smartest way to talk about a free society"

"During times of trouble, journalists have been threatened with violence and forced to write favourable reports of certain regional and ethnic groups’ activities.

Inspiring peace

"I have travelled to different parts of Nepal for Sajha Sawal, from the plains in the south to the hills in the north of the country, talking with people and assessing their views on how they’ve taken the last political change of 2006, a change from the monarchic system to a republic.

"Of course, there are different views on different issues but there are some common agendas as well: people around Nepal want lasting peace and job opportunities. These issues can be achieved once the politics become stable and peace lasts.

"We discuss peace, good governance and democracy in our programme. I believe this is the smartest way to talk about a free society, in a context in which democracy is new and almost rare.

"Journalism is rooted in my mind and heart. That’s what inspires my work in media; I really love my job as a journalist and presenter."

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