Nepal

While Nepal appears to rank high in terms of physical safety according to the survey results, this may not have accurately reflected the realities on the ground. Journalists who have experienced physical intimidation or assault may have resorted to self-censorship, potentially affecting the accuracy and completeness of the data collected and same might be true for the journalists facing sexual harassment too. For example, two journalists who have faced physical attacks declined to participate in the survey. We were aware about these two cases as it was also out in the news stories but the number of such incidents could have been higher. Although there may not have been killings or physical attacks during the data collection period, the threat to physical safety remains significant. Moreover, the climate of fear and control—especially under a government that has become increasingly strict in recent years—is often more clearly reflected in psychological indicators. This gap suggests the need for a more nuanced understanding of safety, beyond what the numerical rankings alone can convey.

Understanding Journalist Safety in Nepal

Safety Dimensions

Gender Safety Gap

Physical Safety

Journalist Killings (35% weight in physical dimension)

Responses to: "I am concerned about my physical wellbeing" (20% weight in physical dimension)

Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"

Arrests, detentions or imprisonment (15% weight in physical dimension)

Sexual assault or sexual harassment (15% weight in physical dimension)

Other physical attacks (15% weight in physical dimension)

Abductions (did not contribute to calculation)

Office raids or seizures or damage of equipment (did not contribute to calculation)

Being required to work in an environment where COVID-19 had easily spread (did not contribute to calculation)

Psychological Safety

Responses to: "I am concerned about my emotional wellbeing" (20% weight in psychological dimension)

Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"

Demeaning or hateful speech directed at you (16% weight in psychological dimension)

Public discrediting of your work (16% weight in psychological dimension)

Legal actions against you because of your work (16% weight in psychological dimension)

Stalking (16% weight in psychological dimension)

Other threats or intimidation directed at you (16% weight in psychological dimension)

Coercion (did not contribute to calculation)

Questioning of your personal morality (did not contribute to calculation)

Workplace bullying (did not contribute to calculation)

Intimidation that targets your family or close associates (did not contribute to calculation)

Digital Safety

Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"

Surveillance (50% weight in digital dimension)

Hacking or blocking of social media accounts or websites (50% weight in digital dimension)

Others using your byline for fabricated or manipulated stories (did not contribute to calculation)

Others disseminating your personal information (did not contribute to calculation)

Financial Safety

Responses to: "I am worried about losing my job in journalism within the next 12 months" (20% weight in financial dimension)

Responses to: "Which of the following categories best describes your current working situation as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)

Responses to "Approximately what percentage of your overall work-related income comes from your work as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)

Responses to: "How many hours a week on average do you work as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)

Responses to: "In which of the following categories does your salary as a journalist fall?" (20% weight in financial dimension)

Demographics

Coming soon