Right to Voice: Promoting Media Freedom of Expression in Nepal The proposed action will provide journalists with multi-stakeholder forums where they can discuss the causes of self-censorship with the authorities and generate ideas for improving FoE with them, without feeling unsafe or under threat (currently rarely possible because journalists do not have support networks). The action will increase accountability for media rights violations through the systematic documentation of attacks and threats enabling human rights defenders to more effectively pressure the authorities to clamp down on perpetrators and reduce political interference in security and justice processes. Sustained positive change will result from advocacy with national level policymakers/decision makers who can shape national policies and regulation relating to FoE. 
Similarly the media does not fairly or accurately report the perspectives or agendas of marginalised groups because the voices of those groups have few opportunities to be heard and are undervalued. The proposed action will create new opportunities for the perspectives and agendas of marginalised communities to be shared with the mainstream media and the general public (who usually receive limited or partisan information). An increased public profile for alternative voices and perspectives will be complemented by a greater awareness throughout the media sector and amongst the general public of the importance for Nepalâ€™s democracy of plurality and diversity in the media, resulting from events and broadcasts conveying this message persuasively. Sustained positive change will result from this public messaging as well as from advocacy with national level policymakers who can shape relevant national policies and regulation. SO1) to reduce self-censorship among journalists, and SO2) to increase the diversity of perspectives and agendas in the media Journalists of all media will be targeted through the FNJ network, which has approximately 9,000 members. It is envisaged that 800 journalists will be directly involved (125 per district, 300 in Kathmandu). The project will especially target women and journalists from marginalised communities who currently have less space to contribute journalistically and poorer access to support networks. The capacity built within FNJ will also mean that it can promote FoE more widely. Political parties, security agencies and HR defenders (some 500) will be engaged through Free Media networks, implementation of joint actions for FoE and advocacy initiatives. The incentive for positive recognition by superiors and the public, central commitments/mandates, and project relationship building will enable the buy-in of district political parties and security forces. HR defenders outside media will derive benefit from improved relations and interaction with politicians and security forces for a more conducive environment for their work. Government policymakers (some 200: 20 per district and 100 in Kathmandu) will be targeted through advocacy. They will benefit from the knowledge generated by the project which will lead to greater capacity and will to implement existing policies and resist political interference.

The final beneficiaries of this action are media consumers, the general public (at least 2 million people across the 6 districts), who will benefit from an increase in independent, diverse, accurate reporting that is able to protect human rights and promote participation and accountability. This will ultimately support peace, democracy and good governance.