On May 3, 2026, Nepal observed World Press Freedom Day, revealing a troubling rise in press freedom violations. According to a report by Freedom Forum Nepal, there were 97 recorded incidents affecting 145 media professionals and 20 media organizations between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. This marks a significant increase from the 68 incidents reported the previous year. The violations included 28 threats, 21 attacks, and 18 acts of obstruction against journalists. During the observance, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) held a rally in Kathmandu, where speakers underscored the essential role of press freedom in safeguarding human rights. FNJ Chair Nirmala Sharma criticized the Balendra Shah-led government for perceived interference, notably its decision to block government advertisements to private media. In response, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Bikram Timilsina reiterated the government's commitment to uphold press freedom as a constitutional right, emphasizing its importance to democracy and public accountability.