KATHMANDU, JUNE 21

Media experts and advocates for freedom of expression have argued that there is no direct law to protect the journalists in most of the countries in South Asia. They were speaking in a day-long training workshop on safety of journalists with a feminist approach organized jointly by Media Action Nepal and ARTICLE19 in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The workshop was supported by Global Affairs Canada.

Despite progressive legislation across South Asia, there are no concrete laws to protect journalists in South Asia other than Pakistan. Media trainers have complained that the South Asian countries do not have direct laws regarding the welfare of the journalists. Most of the South Asian countries have signed and ratified the international treaties such as CEDAW and ICCPR, however, practical execution of it is dismal, they lamented.

A group of 20 female journalists participating from all the provinces of Nepal complained, 'We have all experienced some sort of threats, sexual assault, and gender discrimination at least once during our professional journey.' I was called by the security force of the country which threatened and behaved derogatorily for writing news on them, a participant shared.

Chairperson of the Media Action Nepal Laxman Datt Pant said, 'Laws are being framed to restrict and refrain the freedom of expression. We need to protect the journalists in and outside the newsroom to ensure their safety.' Adding that journalists face risks and abuse depending on their race and sexual orientation, religion, and other characteristics, Pant called for institutionalizing a strong system to support journalists in danger. Women journalists face multiple safety threats such as stereotyping, harassment, and gender discrimination, he added.

'Not only the countries, even media houses do not have any policies regarding the safety of the journalists', said Rumky Farhana, FEMSOJ project Lead in South Asia for ARTICLE 19. Equal inclusive and non-discriminative policy must be implemented on the basis of gender diversity, she added.

Likewise, Faruq Faisel, Regional Director, ARTICLE 19 South Asia thanked the participants for their attentive and engaged role for the successful completion of the training. The training workshop was facilitated by Laxman Datt Pant and Namrata Sharma.