Int’l press freedom mission to visit Nepal

A high-level international mission on press freedom and freedom of expression is scheduled to visit Nepal from September 3 to 7.

In Nepal, the mission will review the media situation after the restoration of democracy in Nepal, according to the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), which is hosting the mission.

The mission is expected to provide suggestions for the reformation of Nepalese media policy to create more liberal, professional and transparent media environment in Nepal and will also discuss on areas of support for strengthening the independent Nepalese media community, the FNJ said.

The mission, which is a follow-up of an international mission in June 2005 and March 2006, will meet with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, deputy prime minister K. P. Oli, CPN (UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba, Maoist supremo Prachanda and other political leaders and discuss scenario of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal.

The mission members will also have interaction with the national media community, donors, international community, government officials and members of civil society. International organisations participating on the mission include International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Media Support (IMS), International News Safety Institute (INSI), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and ARTICLE 19. nepalnews.com mk Sept 02 06