Mass protests swept across Nepal on Monday, Sept. 8, after the government moved to ban several major social media platforms. What began as peaceful demonstrations, largely led by young people in the country’s major cities, quickly escalated into violence.
In Kathmandu, protesters set fire to the Parliament building, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 400 injured. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma resigned the following day, and the ban was lifted on September 9. However, unrest has continued, with demonstrators targeting government buildings and ministers.
News organizations have also come under attack. Protesters set fire to the offices of Kantipur Media Group, which operates television and radio stations as well as the newspaper Annapurna Post. The fires forced multiple broadcasters off the air. Thiralal Bhusal, news editor of The Kathmandu Post, confirmed that staff were working remotely while the website remained offline. Ramkala Khadka, news coordinator for the Annapurna Post, said both print and digital operations had been disrupted.
Journalists covering the protests have also been injured, raising further concerns over press freedom. At least four reporters were wounded, including Dipendra Dhungana, a photojournalist for Naya Patrika, who was hit in the neck by a rubber bullet fired by police. Nepal Press photographer, Umesh Karki, and Kantipur TV video journalist, Shyam Shrestha, were also struck by rubber bullets, while Deshsanchar photojournalist, Barsha Shaha, was injured by rocks thrown during the protests.
The attacks highlight the growing risks for journalists reporting on political unrest in Nepal, where both media outlets and frontline reporters face direct threats to their safety and ability to work.