"Physical assaults on journalists in Kailali and Gorkha, intimidation of reporters and last week's speech by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal fit into a pattern that is constricting the space for media in the country," said the alliance in a statement issued Tuesday. These actions, the Alliance stated, cast doubts over the Maoists' commitment to press freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

The Alliance said 10 daily and weekly newspapers from Kailali have not been able to publish as a direct result of coordinated physical attacks and threats by local Maoist cadre against reporters. "In Gorkha, journalists are still facing threats, and reporters in the districts have been self-censoring news about Maoist activities because of the fear of reprisals", the Alliance said in the statement.

The Alliance said it was also concerned by Chairman Dahal's speech last Friday at Tundikhel, in which he specifically threatened one newspaper and warned media not to be critical of his party because it has been "made victorious by the people". Editors' Alliance groups the chief editors of Nepal's main newspapers and magazines