Journalists have shown tremendous courage for reporting despite violence, killings, and suppression in many countries, according to the South Asia Press Freedom Report 2017-2018.

The UNESCO released the report in partnership with the Federation of Nepali Journalists and Freedom Forum, to mark the World Press Freedom Day, observed last Thursday, The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) prepared the report with UNESCO support.

The report says 35 journalists and media staff lost their lives including 22 in Afghanistan, eight in India and five in Pakistan in the last 12 months. Attackers killed 10 journalists in one day, on April 30, in Afghanistan.

The Nepal chapter of the report shows arrest and detention of 19 journalists in one year with 14 journalists charged under the vaguely worded Public (Crimes and Punishment) Act 1970. Three journalists currently remain in prison and their status is unknown.

Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Deepak Raj Joshi said the relation between the judiciary and press is inseparable although their roles are different.

“The Court orders are guided by the constitution, which protects and defends the freedom of the press,” Joshi said at an event on Thursday.

UNESCO Representative to Nepal, Christian Manhart highlighted the details of the report. Nepal shows a decline in the number of the violations of press freedom since 2015. In 2015, the National Human Rights Commission had adopted statutes to protect journalists. These remain on paper. “As a consequence, impunity and self-censorship remain issues against press freedom in Nepal,” Manhart said.

The Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, Chairperson Lokendra Mallik stressed on the importance of a strong media to promote strong democracy and rule of law.

Among the other speakers, Executive Head of Freedom Forum, Tara Nath Dahal, and Acting Chairperson of Press Council, Kishor Shrestha highlighted freedom of press and protection of journalists.

In her message on this year’s theme, Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay stated, “UNESCO is actively involved in defending the freedom of expression, which is at the core of its mandate, and today celebrates the 25th World Press Freedom Day. The theme chosen this year is an open invitation to think of the relations between the media, justice and the rule of law. It is also an opportunity to examine the new challenges regarding the freedom of online press”.