Urges journalists to respect their important responsibilities and ensure freedom of the press
What you should know
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an organization that monitors and records press freedom around the world, has condemned the attacks on more than a dozen media organizations and journalists during the violent protests in Nepal on August 24.
RSF has also requested the newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki, President Ramchandra Paudel and the Nepali Army to respect the important responsibilities of journalists and ensure freedom of the press. Celia Mercier, head of the RSF South Asia desk, issued a statement on Sunday saying that violence against journalists and the media is unacceptable. She emphasized that the state should be responsible for the protection of journalists and media.
During the violent demonstration on August 24, more than a dozen media houses and three media houses in the capital and other parts of the country were vandalized and set on fire, the RSF said in a statement. Similarly, there are reports that protesters set fire to Kantipur Media Group in Thapathali, Kathmandu, and vandalized Radio Nepal and Nepal Television located in Singha Durbar, the administrative center of the Nepal government.
'Violent attacks targeting media organizations during the anti-government protests are unacceptable. The incident in which four journalists were injured in the police attack is also regrettable. Ensuring the right to information and the right to be informed is even more important in times of crisis and instability," RSF said in a statement. RSF has also said that it is important to keep press freedom as a prerequisite for any future government to be recognized.
