Nepalese Journalists rally for press freedom as media restrictions continue
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supports protests by journalists and media organisations for the restoration of press freedom in Nepal.
"If left unabated, the government-inflicted media restrictions will eventually silence the entirety of the Nepalese media, and press freedom will become a distant memory for the people of Nepal", said IFJ President Christopher Warren.
"It is unacceptable that journalists should be arrested and interrogated simply for doing their job - intimidation of this nature should be protested against in the name of press freedom and civil rights", said Warren.
The IFJ observed the following developments:
Journalists protest for press freedom
On May 29, 2005, hundreds of journalists protested for the restoration of press freedom and civil rights in Kathmandu.
The protest was organised by the umbrella organisation Save the Independent Radio Movement (SIRM) and the journalists marched from the International Conference hall in New Baneswor to Babar Mahal.
The participating journalists rallied to express their support for the nine-day protest program designed by SIRM to pressure the government to lift current bans on FM stations' broadcasting news.
As part of the protest, FM stations yesterday blew conch shells on-air and will broadcasted a reading of freedom of expression rights on May 31. They also plan to send a damaged radio and a copy of the constitution of Nepal to the Communication Minister on June 1, and to observe a two-minute silence on June 3.
The IFJ supports the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) condemnation of the government's decision to restrict news broadcasts on FM radio stations.
"It is part of the government's crackdown on media...we will be forced to intensify our protest programs if the government's order is not withdrawn", said the FNJ in a statement.
Government forces radio program production centre to shut down
The Nepalese Government has forced radio program production centre Communication Corner to close down, in another crackdown on independent private media.
Operators received a letter from the government on Friday May 27, which cited 'illegal operations' and ordered the closure of Communication Corner.
The letter did not specify any violated clause or Act, and did not identify the source that recommended the closure.
The operators will challenge the government's order in court, claiming they have the license and other documents to prove the legal status of Communications Corner. "Unlike the government, we believe in the rule of the law", said Gopal Guragain, Managing Director of Communication Corner.
Royal Nepal Army arrests journalists
On May 27 the Royal Nepal Army arrested two journalists and interrogated a third journalist over their recent visits to several villages in Ramechhap, Eastern Nepal.
The arrested journalists, former president of the FNJ (Ramechhap branch) Himal Dhungel and local Nepal Samacharpatra correspondent Nawaraj Pathik, were released the same night after being interrogated by army officials.
For more information on the crisis in Nepal see www.ifj-asia.org/nepalcrisis.html
For further information contact Christopher Warren no +61 411 757 668
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
