Journalists Caught in Kathmandu ProtestsCEFR B2
2 Oct 2025
Adapted from Nepali Times, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Sushanta Rokka, Unsplash
The Gen Z protests that began in Kathmandu on September 8th escalated into violent unrest that directly affected news organisations and journalists. Dart Centre Asia Pacific fellow Arun Karki visited multiple newsrooms and compiled first‑hand testimonies from reporters and photographers who experienced the turmoil. On the first day many journalists observed violence from close range: Sunita Karki saw a vehicle burning, people carrying wounded friends, and police beating a teenager. By evening the death toll had reached 19.
On September 9th at about 3:35 pm the Annapurna Post office in Tinkune, Kathmandu was set on fire and staff evacuated as parts of the newsroom burned. Several other outlets were attacked or received threats. A Kantipur photojournalist, Angad Dhakal, arrived as protesters planned to torch the building; he lost hard drives with ten years of work and continued photographing under threat. A protest Discord forum message openly discussed "attacking Kantipur," and rumours circulated between outlets. OnlineKhabar lowered blinds, locked its gate and dispersed staff across the city; it was threatened but not torched.
Protesters also vandalised and set fires within the Singha Darbar complex, which houses Nepal Television and Radio Nepal, apparently to disrupt public broadcasting. Reporter Surendra Paudyal hid his press ID as the area became dangerous and prioritised getting his team out; they managed to keep the 8 pm news on air via a regional link, an outcome that brought mixed relief and sadness. Reporters described fear, guilt and shock, and some contemplated leaving journalism after seeing newsrooms burned or being targeted. The accounts were republished with permission from the Dart Centre Asia Pacific, a regional hub that offers trauma‑informed support to journalists.
Difficult words
- escalate — become more serious or intenseescalated
- unrest — a period of public disorder or disturbance
- testimony — an account from someone who saw eventstestimonies
- torch — set something on fire deliberatelytorched
- vandalise — damage or destroy property intentionallyvandalised
- disrupt — interrupt normal work or activity suddenly
- prioritise — treat something as more important than othersprioritised
- evacuate — move people out of a dangerous placeevacuated
- republish — publish again with permission or changesrepublished
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can attacks on newsrooms affect the public's access to information during protests?
- What kinds of support might organisations like the Dart Centre Asia Pacific offer to journalists after traumatic events?
- Some reporters considered leaving journalism after these attacks. What reasons might lead someone to make that choice, and what might keep them in the profession?
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