Just last week, the World Press Freedom Day was organized across the globe amidst a big fanfare. The day offered a massive space to look at the contribution of media in educating, empowering, and informing the people, enabling them to interface with the government and hold it accountable for their wrongdoings. Further, the day also provided a space to assess the challenges faced by the media and media persons in the country, which are gradually transforming into an authoritarian regime backed by two-thirds of the majority.
The media have been perceived as the fourth pillar of any functioning democracy in the world. The freedom of expression plays a key role in determining whether the country is a democratic or an autocratic one. Apart from many countries around the globe that guarantee freedom of expression and an independent press as fundamental rights of their citizens. Despite the constitutionally guaranteed rights, the media personnel are often threatened and attacked physically while carrying out their responsibilities, even in the largest and biggest democratic countries. They experience political pressure forcing them into self-censorship, leading them to avoid certain topics to avoid conflict with political groups.
Nepal has clinched the top position among South Asian countries in the press freedom rankings. The Maldives follows in second place at 106th position, succeeded by Bhutan at 147th, Sri Lanka at 150th, Pakistan at 152nd, India at 159th, and Bangladesh at 165th. Afghanistan ranked 178th, remaining the lowest-ranked among the South Asian countries.
The situation of press freedom in South Asia is very dismal. The media’s role in voicing public aspirations and holding power to account is under increasing threat in South Asia, according to the Asia Press Freedom Report, 2025. The reports paint a grim picture of shrinking media freedom and escalating risk faced by journalists across the region.
Between 2024- 2025, 250 violations of media rights were recorded. A total of 69 journalist were jailed or detained, while 20 lost their lives in the line of duty. In Bangladesh alone, the Federal Union of Journalists reported that nearly 300 journalists and media workers were injured and many were shot during the protest across the country.
Not far away, Afghanistan has a similar story to tell. Even worse than its neighboring countries. In 2023, the country witnessed over 170 violations against journalists and media outlets, further highlighting the fragile state of press freedom. Though the Taliban led government, following the withdrawal of US-led forces, has time and again said that the freedom of expression will be duly respected and promoted. It has just remained lip service.
The neighboring Pakistan does not fare better either. The report of the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (September 2024) states that more than 250,000 digital media workers are without legal safeguards for fair wages and safe working conditions. Many observers blame the government, which does not intend to create a conducive environment for freedom of expression. While the nation has made significant achievements in military warfare, the journalists and media personnel are still perceived as the greatest by the sitting government.
The kingdom of Bhutan also reflects the regional trend. Over the years, the government has launched several programs to protect and promote freedom of expression. For instance, in April 2024, the government issued a guideline to promote transparency. But sadly, the program was ineffective as the official spokespersons were unresponsive or ill-equipped to provide information.
The largest democratic country, India, has also been under the scanner for its hostility towards journalists and media persons. Following the takeover of the BJP under the leadership of Modi, there are allegations that the state-owned media echoes the voice of the government, ignoring the hard truth. On the other hand, the independent journalist experiences political pressure forcing them into self-censorship. The introduction of the Digital Personal Protection Act 2023, which is meant to protect privacy, has raised concerns over access to public information. The amendment to the Right to Information Act now allows blocking of content deemed “personal information”, potentially undermining efforts to ensure the government’s accountability. This clearly illustrates that freedom of expression, even in the largest democracy, is a costly affair.
Nepal, which is transitioning to democracy, does not present a rosy picture when it comes to freedom of expression. Following the decade-long armed conflict, it was expected that the journalists and media personnel would be able to carry out their responsibilities without any fear or threat. But this has not been the case. The journalists are still viewed as the greatest enemy by those in power, and they often exert political pressure. No doubt, there are some positive moves on the part of the government. The consolidation of state broadcasters- Radio Nepal and Nepal Television- into the National Public Service Broadcasting Agency has been welcomed as a positive step toward more accountable media. However, it remains to be seen whether the government will allow the press and media personnel to work independently, exposing the wrongdoers.
When we assess the situation of press freedom, we will find that governments of South Asian countries perceive an independent and vibrant press as their greatest threat. We also find that state-owned media dance to the tune of those in power, ignoring the hard truth while many journalist experience political pressure from their masters who appoint them. One thing is very clear: the press freedom in South Asian nations is still a far cry, though these nations have transformed socio-economically, culturally, militarily, and economically.
Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost’. However, in South Asia, journalists risk losing their lives entirely if they dare to challenge powerful interest groups. In a dispute between the government and the press, the government might impose its will in the short run, but they also should remember that the press today is not only conventional news media, it is also the very accessible social media – it can mobilize a nation, and bring down their control.
I will conclude with the example of Bangladesh, where the youth mobilized under the banner of ‘Gen-Z revolution’ or ‘Monsoon Revolution’. The media kept silent, but the youth utilized the youth roared through social media, or as I say, ‘the mass press’; within a month, a 15-year-old dynasty collapsed – it happened in Bangladesh, ergo, it can happen anywhere.
Author: Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
References:
- https://asianews.network/press-freedom-in-south-asia-faces-steep-decline/#:~:text=faces%20steep%20decline-,Press%20freedom%20in%20South%20Asia%20faces%20steep%20decline,in%20the%20line%20of%20duty.
- https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/05/08/nepal-ranked-74th-in-world-press-freedom-index-2024
- https://beltwaygrid.org/freedom-of-the-press-in-south-asia-challenges-and-opportunities/
