Although full press freedom is written in the preamble of Nepal's constitution, it is not guaranteed in practice. Press freedom is also challenged in Nepal due to state retaliation and non-state groups' 'trolls' and threats. The latest report of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an organization that monitors and records press freedom around the world, has also made it clear that press freedom is shrinking in Nepal.

Out of 180 countries included in the report, Nepal has fallen to the 90th position with 55.2 points. In the 2024 report, Nepal was ranked 74th with 60.52 points.

Not only has the situation in Nepal fallen 16 places with a score of 5.32 in one year, the situation of press freedom in Nepal has fallen into the problematic group. The bottom line is that journalists and media in Nepal have to take risks and write news. This situation needs to be taken seriously by the media, press freedom advocates and stakeholders.

Why is Nepal falling behind in the press freedom index? The answer lies in the nature, style and practice of the person in power. For example, Ravi Lamichhane, president of RSVP, who was embroiled in scandals like dual citizenship, passport and co-operative fraud, misused the state machinery in his defense after becoming the home minister.

It was the basic responsibility of the press to ask questions about Lamichhane, the then Managing Director of Gorkha Media Network, who brought and abused the savings of tens of thousands of cooperative victims. But instead of giving a responsible answer, he tried to trick and intimidate the press into silence.

After his efforts failed, he arrested Kantipur Media Group Chairman Kailash Sirohia from the newspaper's office and took him to Janakpur overnight with the intention of filing a false case. Rushing to arrest him, he failed to gather evidence and register a case.

On the other hand, cases have been registered in the courts where the group including Lamichhane was involved in the co-operative scam. He is currently in Bhairahawa Jail on remand by the order of the High Court. In this charge, four district courts have taken bail from him at the rate of 60 lakh rupees. However, the way he attacked Kantipur Media Group and the entire Nepali media world to get immunity from this legal accountability has shocked the Nepali press world.

Dhan, the Nepali media world stood united against this act of Lamichhane, while the solidarity of international press organizations like RSF, IFJ, CPJ and SPJ has also given Nepali press great self-strength.

Not only the state, some non-state groups also appear to be hostile to the press. Last March 15, a journalist who was shooting a video inside was killed when royalist protesters set fire to a commercial building. On the same day, another journalist was attacked and injured. The arrest of the masterminds of arson, looting and vandalism is now being investigated by the state, which can be expected to hold the culprits accountable. But it has been confirmed that Nepali journalists are not safe even in the field.

RSF has analyzed the state of press freedom by evaluating political, economic, legal, socio-cultural and security aspects. Not only Nepal, press freedom is at risk all over the world. The press has been hit by the dominance of liberal forces in politics and the undemocratic style of governance.

The fact that the overall situation around the world has deteriorated is also confirmed by the RSF report. There are only seven countries on the list where press freedom is easy. There are 35 countries on the list in satisfactory condition. Whereas, in the 2024 report, the number of such countries was 8 and 37 respectively. Of the 180 countries included in this year's report, press freedom is problematic, difficult or very serious in the remaining 145 countries.

Press freedom is not only a concern of journalists or the media. Even if they are in the forefront, it is directly linked to the right of citizens to information. In the issues of democracy, good governance, public service delivery, infrastructure development, and transparency, media organizations are only a means of questioning, its stakeholders are every citizen. In countries where the state can curtail press freedom, citizens are misinformed and disoriented.

It ultimately leads to the tragedy of the debate on the basic rights of citizens. Only well-informed, conscious and aware citizens can secure democracy and make the country prosperous. Since the state of press freedom also measures the level of awareness and awareness of the country as a whole, the reputation of the country as a whole is also connected. Therefore, in order to strengthen the freedom of the press, every sector of the society should strengthen its organized voice.

Today's digital era pressure on press freedom is not only limited to direct violence or abuse of state power, but 'trolls' and misinformation through social media are also mentally harassing journalists. The press in Nepal and around the world is facing attacks from non-state groups, political activists or ideological and communal radicals, often with or without the protection of state power.

All of these ventures are motivated by the objective of discouraging, silencing, and protecting a person or power of interest to the media. In a democratic society, the press is not free from questions and criticism, but when the state agencies do not investigate cyber attacks with the aim of harassing the press, the morale of such a group increases and the psychology of whatever is written on the network develops.