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Media Release: Nepal 4 February 2005
Media blackout outside of Kathmandu
The International Federation of Journalists' (IFJ) grave concerns for the safety of media in Nepal were reinforced today after it was confirmed that King Gyanendra has ordered a complete black out of all media outside the Kathmandu Valley.
The IFJ received reports that soldiers told media houses to shut down, "until further notice" in Pokhara, a city 200km west of Kathmandu.
"You don't have to publish news from now onwards. This is the responsibility of the Kathmandu-based daily papers,"quoted army personal to a local reporter from one of the Nepali dailies.
It's been reported that all the private media houses are now being run by military personnel since the February 1 takeover. The IFJ has reports of army majors dictating to editors what to include in editorials in Jan Ashta.
All the FM stations outside the Kathmandu valley have been closed down. Radio Sagarmatha, the first community radiostation in South Asia, is now being run by the Royal Nepal Army. It has banned any news, discussion or regular programs from broadcast.
The local administration and army battalion head quarters of Rupandehi district in Western Nepal have ordered Butawal F.M and Lumbini F.M to stop broadcasting and have ordered Mechi Kali, Daily Lumbini, Jana Sangharsa and Naya Disha to discontinue publishing.
Khagendra Sangraula, prominent columnist of Kantipur daily has been arrested and is being detained at the Armed Police Head Quarters in Halchowk, Kathmandu, for his previous critical articles against an active monarchy.
All communication lines into and within the country remain cut off, as the military has taken charge of all internet-service providers and the two companies providing telephone and communication services, Nepal Telecom and UTL.
Ironically, the only outside link left remaining on BBC Nepali service website is a link to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's Government, currently under house arrest.
The IFJ continues to have grave concerns for journalists and those committed to freedom of expression and, in particular, those who have in past been critical of the King.
The IFJ has documented Nepal's grim history of violating human rights and freedom of speech. Nepalese journalists have been under intense pressure over the last three years during the CPN (Maoist) bloody struggle to establish a "people's republic" and abolish Nepal's constitutional monarchy and the state's attempt to control the movement.
More than 100 journalists were arrested during the previous state of emergency from November 2001 to August 2002 and many of them were subjected to torture.
Eight journalists and one media worker have been killed since May 2002 and hundreds more threatened and attacked.
To date IFJ affiliates and partner organisations have delivered protest letters to Nepalese Embassies and consulates in Sydney, Moscow, Tokyo, Washington, New Delhi and Dhaka and journalists across the world have condemned the media crackdown and suspension of other basic freedoms in Nepal.
"Denial of information during this crucial time is a denial of basic human rights to the Nepali people, " said IFJ President Christopher Warren.
"We reiterate ours and the FNJ's calls for a quick return to democracy and that the King ensures the rights and safety of journalists in Nepal," said Warren.
For further information, please contact Christopher Warren on +61 411 757 668 The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
The full text of the release from the FNJ of February 2 follows:
"The Royal announcement made yesterday, by ending the spirit and value of the Constitution of Nepal, is a coup against democracy and peoples' rights. This has undoubtedly destroyed the fabric of democracy and has also confirmed that the lives of ordinary civilians as well as national values are in grave danger.
"The Federation strongly condemns and expresses disagreement on this historic and enormous mistake. To believe that following a path like this will restore peace and democracy is standing against the values and ideas of modern civilization.
"The Federation of Nepali Journalists does not believe that, in the 21st century, the country can progress and achieve democracy through an 'imposed' monarchy by the King.This move has also ended freedom of expression, press freedom and other rights of the citizens that were won after great struggle and sacrifice.
"Press censorship and the presence of the army in media houses have begun.Communications have been completely disrupted.Now there is no free press and it has been effectively killed.At this time, the Federation of Nepali Journalists believes that its duty is to fight for freedom of the press, democracy, a just peace and national freedom. We also believe that it is important to fight for this with courage and determination in order to guarantee the right of the Nepali people to information."
