This report reflects the findings of mission to Nepal carried out in February 2012 by representatives of 13 members of the coalition, including the International Press Institute (IPI), who met with representatives on Nepal’s government, opposition parties, media and civil society groups.

Core problems affecting the media in Nepal, according to the report, include inadequate legal guarantees for press freedom and access to information, a climate of violence against journalists and the authorities’ failure to bring perpetrators of attacks against journalists to justice, in particular in the regions outside the Kathmandu Valley.

Other problems also include a lack of transparency in media ownership structure and the influence of political parties on media content. Finally, the influence of media owners’ private interests in media content, as well as lack of professional security and adequate journalistic training all contribute to poor journalistic standards.