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Press freedom in Nepal becoming extinct: Human Rights Watch

A leading rights group based in New York has said press freedom in Nepal is moving from endangered to extinct.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for the repeal of what it called ‘a draconian new ordinance’ promulgated by King Gyanendra on October 9, 2005, that places a blanket prohibition on any news-related items on the radio, as well as other harsh strictures against the media.

“The new media ordinance takes unlawful censorship (imposed since the royal takeover) and enshrines it into law,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Human Rights Watch has also strongly criticized the government’s action against Kantipur F. M.—a leading private sector radio station in the country. In a mountainous country with high levels of illiteracy, radio stations are often the only source of news. Shutting down Kantipur FM sends a clear signal to smaller stations that any broadcasts of news will lead to their closure by the government, the statement said.

Human Rights Watch said it hoped the Supreme Court would uphold the station’s claim that the ban is an illegal infringement on the right to freedom of expression under domestic and international law. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nepal ratified in 1991, provides for the right to free expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive and impart information”.

“Although the government has a history of willfully ignoring court orders, the judiciary must take up the challenge and make an independent and informed decision on Sunday,” said Adams. “The judiciary has now become the last best hope for the future of the free press in Nepal.”

Dozens of editors and journalists around the country have been arrested at various times since the royal takeover and released. Editors of major newspapers were summoned and told what they could and could not report, the statement said.

The October ordinance continues restrictions already in place. In addition to the ban on the broadcast of news, the ordinance affects other forms of media as well. The right of political parties to provide information on their programs during election periods has been weakened without explanation. Journalists’ licenses can be cancelled summarily and defamation provisions that include harsh criminal penalties have been extended to cover broadcast media, the Human Rights Watch said. nepalnews.com by Oct 30 05