Over a dozen journos arrested

Police on Saturday has taken into custody over one dozen journalists from Ratna Park in the capital, Kathmandu, as they were protesting against the new media ordinance introduced by the government early this month.

Journalists unfurled ‘black banner’ and burnt copies of media ordinance in the so-called ‘prohibited zone’ as police tried to intervene. They later courted arrested chanting slogans against the new media law.

Talking to Nepalnews prior to courting arrest, president of Press Chautari Nepal (PCN), Bal Krishna Chapagain, said Saturday’s protests were part of on-going agitation against what it called the `draconian media law.’ He alleged that the government was trying to restrict people’s right to information by violating the country’s constitution.

Those arrested during the protests include Chapagain, vice president of PCN Bharat Raj Pokhrel, journalists Bhimsen Rajbahak, Gopal Khanal and Gokul Baskota. They are being kept at Mahendra Police Club.

After the arrest of journalists, another group of journalists staged demonstration near Bhotahity. Addressing the demonstration, former chairman of Press Council Nepal, Harihar Birahi, said the protests being organized by journalists would continue unless what he called “the end of autocratic rule” in the country. General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Mahendra Bista, said media persons would continue their fight against the new media law in the streets, through editorial space and also in the court.

The new ordinance on media prohibits criticism of the king and royal family members and bars broadcast of news over the FM radio stations, among others. Media groups say the government has introduced new law to muzzle the independent press.

But officials say the new law aims at making the Nepali press dignified, not controlling it. nepalnews.com by Oct 29 05