(FNJ/IFEX) – The following is an abridged FNJ media release: Trend Analysis of Nepalese Media after Restoration of Democracy The restoration of democracy in late April 2006, following a popular uprising, evoked a sigh of relief for Nepalese media, which had faced serious challenges after the royal coup. The autocratic royal regime suppressed Nepalese media […]
(FNJ/IFEX) – The following is an abridged FNJ media release:
Trend Analysis of Nepalese Media after Restoration of Democracy
The restoration of democracy in late April 2006, following a popular uprising, evoked a sigh of relief for Nepalese media, which had faced serious challenges after the royal coup.
The autocratic royal regime suppressed Nepalese media by all possible means and measures. During the royal regime, intimidation, harassment, verbal as well as physical attacks and the detention of media professionals were the order of the day. FNJ has named these 14 months of the king’s direct rule as “the darkest days in the history of Nepalese media”. The situation in the outlying districts, where journalists were victimized by agents of the autocracy, was particularly alarming. Media persons faced regular threats from security personnel for their practice of journalism.
The government’s attack was not limited to individual journalists or media houses; it entailed a systematic campaign to create rifts in the media community. The creation of the pro-palace so-called National Federation of Journalists, and of a “one-door” advertisement policy, were desperate attempts by the autocratic regime to weaken Nepalese media.
After the restoration of democracy, there have been efforts to establish and institutionalize the Nepalese media and a few significant steps have been taken. The government declared all anti-media ordinances and policies as null and void. On 26 May the government formed a task force to ensure effective implementation of the Working Journalist Act 2051, and on 2 June it scrapped the controversial one-door advertisement policy.
Despite these positive developments, the media situation has not improved as much as expected. Violations of media rights continue, even after the restoration of democracy. The nature of attacks has changed, but journalists are still facing threats and attacks, especially from the Maoists, various anti-social groups and also political parties.
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Even after the restoration of democracy, journalists in Nepal have not attained complete press freedom. The challenges are not as extreme as those faced under the royal regime. However, journalists still confront threats, assault and ill-treatment.
Very few efforts have been made by the concerned bodies for the security and promotion of Nepalese media. Media persons are still being subjected to various kinds of pressure, threats and acts of intimidation from political parties, the Maoists and other anti-social groups in response to their work. The absence of a culture of information-sharing is still prevalent among government authorities and the Maoists, despite their publicly-declared commitment to freedom of speech and expression. Though there has not been any direct attack by the state, journalists are still facing various indirect threats.
The government and the Maoists both have changed their attitude toward the press and journalists. However, the Maoists still do not want the press to report on their flaws. Although they have stopped attacking the journalists, they still have to learn to accept criticism. Journalists are still put under psychological pressure and are threatened for publishing critical news about them.
Even though the behaviour of army, police and administration has changed towards the press to some extent, they still have a tendency to withhold information. In some districts, they have also inquired about the news, as they used to in the past.
Since the restoration of democracy, there have been incidents in which journalists have faced death threats from anti-social elements. Although such incidents have not been directed or promoted by the government, there have been cases where police or soldiers have mistreated journalists.
There are cases in which political parties protect their members who are involved in acts of corruption, crime and smuggling. Under political protection, these groups are issuing threats of various kinds to journalists. Although the Maoists have publicly declared their commitment to press freedom, incidents like threatening and detaining journalists by Maoist cadres still occur in some places.
The challenges of assigning overall responsibility regarding those journalists who were killed during the period of conflict, and the reinstatement of journalists fired during the tenure of the royal regime, still lie ahead.
Enforcement of the Right to Information Act and the Working Journalists Act is a major issue to be addressed. If the issues raised in the 26-point concept paper prepared by the FNJ are addressed, it will signify a remarkable step forward for the protection and promotion of Nepalese media.
To conclude, looking at the trends during this period, the situation has not improved as expected. Nepalese media showed great resistance to the autocratic regime. FNJ played an important role in helping to restore democracy and press freedom. Although the struggle succeeded to a large extent, many challenges lie ahead on the path toward an independent, disciplined, free and secure Nepalese press.