ISLAMABAD: The South Asia Journalists Federation (SAJF), a regional body under the Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists (FAPaJ), has strongly condemned the recent wave of attacks on media institutions and journalists in Nepal amid ongoing civil unrest. The federation said intimidation, assaults, arbitrary detentions, and obstruction of journalistic work represent a direct assault on press freedom and the public’s right to information.

SAJF President Geetartha Pathak of the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) stressed that the safety and dignity of journalists must be safeguarded in all circumstances, warning that violence against media workers undermines democracy and silences citizens. He said the federation stands firmly with journalists in Nepal and urged the government to take decisive action to protect them.

SAJF Secretary General Shakeel Ahmad of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) said authorities must ensure that perpetrators of violence against journalists are held accountable without delay. He emphasized that a culture of impunity cannot be tolerated in a democratic society and that journalists must be allowed to report freely, especially in times of political and social unrest.

The SAJF called on the Government of Nepal to conduct transparent investigations into all cases of violence, guarantee unhindered access and protection for media workers, and ensure accountability for attacks on press freedom. At the same time, it appealed to Nepal’s media community to uphold professional integrity, combat misinformation, and ensure the dissemination of verified information during the crisis.

The federation also urged civil society, political leaders, and law enforcement agencies in Nepal to respect the rights of journalists and uphold media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy. Reaffirming its commitment to defend press freedom across the region, the SAJF expressed solidarity with Nepal’s journalists at what it called a critical juncture.