(FNJ/IFEX) – The following are excerpts from FNJ press releases of 4 and 2 September 2006: International Advocacy Mission for Press Freedom in Nepal, 3-7 September 2006 The FNJ has organized a high-level International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Nepal, from 3 to 7 September 2006. The Mission is a follow up […]
(FNJ/IFEX) – The following are excerpts from FNJ press releases of 4 and 2 September 2006:
International Advocacy Mission for Press Freedom in Nepal, 3-7 September 2006
The FNJ has organized a high-level International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Nepal, from 3 to 7 September 2006. The Mission is a follow up of an International Mission in June 2005 and March 2006.
The mission delegates are reviewing the media situation in Nepal following the restoration of democracy. It also aims to provide suggestions for the reform of Nepalese media policy to create a more liberal, professional and transparent media environment, and it will explore other possible means of strengthening Nepal’s independent media community.
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FNJ President Bishnu Nisthuri welcomed the International Advocacy Mission for Press Freedom to Nepal on 4 September 2006 with a speech that thanked the international media community for their solidarity and support as shown through press freedom advocacy and global campaigns during the pro-democracy movement which forced King Gyanendra to end his absolute rule.
Speaking at the program, Jesper Hojberg, director of International Media Support (IMS), congratulated all on their victory in restoring democracy. He said, “Though the democratic process has been established, there is still much to be done for the protection and promotion of Nepalese media and there is no time for complacency.”
Christopher Warren, president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said, “This is a historic moment in Nepal. The success of People’s Movement II has opened the process of transformation of Nepalese society and the role of leaders of Nepal is critical in this process.” He further commended the role that FNJ played during the movement.
Toby Mendel from Article 19 emphasized legal and policy reformation as a means of ensuring press freedom and freedom of expression. Andrea Cairola from UNESCO expressed that press freedom is essential not only for the democratic process but also for development and good governance.
Ashish Sen from AMARC said, “Community radio has played a significant role as a lifeline of the people of Nepal and now we have to work to strengthen it.” Sunanda from the International News Safety Institute (INSI) and Biljana Tatomir of the Open Society Institute (OSI) also expressed their views.
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The mission delegates met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister K.P. Oli at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier in the day to discuss press freedom and freedom of expression in the changing political situation of Nepal. The delegates involved were IFJ President Christopher Warren, Andrea Cairola of UNESCO and FNJ President Bishnu Nisthuri.
In the meeting, Warren stated that the mission is aimed at helping Nepalese journalists gain a solid footing in regard to freedom of expression and the press in this democratic environment.
Expressing his full commitment, Deputy Prime Minister Oli assured the delegates that the government will take all necessary initiatives as per the suggestions from the High Level Media Commission, to guarantee press freedom and freedom of expression. He also said that the government agreed, in principle, that it should not run the media. He also commended the support and solidarity that the international community showed for the restoration of democracy and press freedom in Nepal.
The delegates also met with David Johnson, acting head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Earlier, they met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his Baluwatar residence to discuss the same issues.
The delegates said that they now hope the state will not impose any restriction in the days to come. They also discussed on the restructuring of the Nepali press to create more professional media environment. The mission raised concerns about ownership of media by the government, promulgation of right to information act, professional security of working journalists, efficiency of the press council, and protection of community radio along with small-scale media and creating an environment that is conducive to press freedom.
Prime Minister Koirala assured the delegates that since the democratic government is a government of the people, it doesn’t need its own media and so the media can be privatized, the bill for right to information will be presented in parliament as soon as possible, necessary changes will be implemented in the Working Journalist Act after the consultation with FNJ, the Press Council will be made more effective and other problems of the press will be addressed as per the suggestions from FNJ and the High Level Media Commission.
The international organizations participating on the mission include:
– ARTICLE 19
– 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)
– Open Society Institute (OSI)