The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation that represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries, yesterday joined the International Advocacy Mission to Nepal.
The mission, running from July 10 - 16, aims to show international solidarity for the Nepalese media and support this media community in strengthening and defending freedom of expression and media rights. Ms Jacqueline Park, Director of the IFJ Asia Pacific office, and Ms Laxmi Murthy, of the IFJ South Asia office, will represent the IFJ.
"At this stage, it is extremely important that the international community continues to support our Nepalese colleagues and to show King Gyanendra that we do not condone the kinds of restrictions he has placed on the Nepalese media," said IFJ President Christopher Warren.
The Mission, supported by International Media Support and the Danish Embassy in Kathmandu, will be attended by the World Association of Newspapers, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, UNESCO, Reporters sans Frontieres, International Press Institute, International Media Support, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Article 19, and the IFJ.
Together with their national Nepalese counterparts, these participants will hold meetings with representatives from the Government, Army, civil society and media community. In addition, they will jointly visit three Districts in the East, West, and far West of the country to speak with local journalists and regional authorities. The mission will also participate in a national conference on freedom of expression and media rights in Kathmandu.
The participants will produce a full statement at the end of the mission.
"Through this mission the IFJ hopes to gain a clearer picture of the situation so that we can continue to campaign for the restoration of media freedom and democracy in Nepal," said Warren.
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
