Role of professional organizations of journalists in defending press freedom

Abstract

The Constitution of Nepal (2015) guarantees press freedom in Nepal, and the history of Nepali media spans over 100 years. Similarly, the Right to Information Act (2007) is also an important legal instrument to protect press freedom. The Article 17(2) (a) of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, Article 19 ensures the right to communication, and Article 27 guarantees the right to information. Clause (3) of the Right to Information Act (2007) further ensures every citizen’s right to information and provides for its enforcement. While the number of media outlets in Nepal has grown rapidly, the quality of journalism has often been questioned. Along with the increase in media outlets and journalists, the number of professional organizations has also expanded. However, these organizations remain divided along political, ethnic, and news beat lines, and have not been able to play effective roles in defending press freedom or ensuring the professional security of journalists.

As a result, journalists in Nepal continue to face issues like personal and professional insecurity, limited opportunities for skill development, frequent violations of press freedom, and concerns over labor rights. A few organizations, such as NEFEJ and SEJON, have been more effective because of their focused mandates and financial independence.

This study, based on secondary sources, key informant interviews, and an online survey, highlights the need to consolidate organizations with similar mandates in order to increase their effectiveness in promoting ethical journalistic practices, restoring public trust, and safeguarding press freedom. The existence of multiple organizations with overlapping roles weakens the collective bargaining power of media professionals and limits their ability to achieve economic independence, as they compete for scarce resources.