Following radio journalist Uma Singh's murder, families in Banke, Bardia, Kailali and Kanchanpur are pressurising women journalists to change profession, according to a Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) report. Most female journalists interviewed said they were under strong family pressure. FNJ says that because of the deteriorating security situation the reporters in the area are stressed and feel threatened. The journalists now choose to write soft stories on general subjects to avert risk. They shy away from investigative reporting and news is now limited to reports on inaugurations, meetings and formal programs. In the absence of professional support and the trend for so many journalists to become political leaders as a side job, press freedom has been undermined.

Criminals are hiding under the cover of the political parties and the environment of impunity has forced the journalists to work in dangerous conditions.