(CEHURDES/IFEX) – “Kantipur” columnist Krishna Jwala Devkota has been receiving threatening phone calls and e-mails from persons claiming to be “government security forces” since 7 August 2005. In that day’s edition, “Kantipur” published an opinion piece by Devkota entitled, “Why Doesn’t the Army Speak?” The journalist’s opinion piece described the alleged rape of Maoist women […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – “Kantipur” columnist Krishna Jwala Devkota has been receiving threatening phone calls and e-mails from persons claiming to be “government security forces” since 7 August 2005. In that day’s edition, “Kantipur” published an opinion piece by Devkota entitled, “Why Doesn’t the Army Speak?” The journalist’s opinion piece described the alleged rape of Maoist women activists in army custody. Devkota’s family members have also been threatened.
CEHURDES is concerned by such threats to journalists. The organisation urges the concerned group or agency not to repeat such actions and to allow journalists to work in a free and fair environment. CEHURDES further asks the government to guarantee the security of journalists.
In an unrelated development, Information and Communications Ministry Secretary Lok Man Singh Karki and Communications Minister Tanka Dhakal said FM radio stations are not protected under Article 13 of the 1990 Constitution. The officials’ statement came in response to a court notice regarding the seizure of the licence of Nepal FM 91.8.
In response to the ministry’s efforts to close Nepal FM, the court ordered officials to give valid reasons for taking such extreme action because the station aired news reports. On 21 August, Karki filed another appeal in an effort to cancel the court order. The appeal stated that the government is entitled to close FM radio stations if they do not follow government orders.
CEHURDES condemns such actions by the government and asks it to withdraw the appeal. The organisation urges the government to respect the people’s right to information as guaranteed by the 1990 Constitution. The government’s move seems designed to curb press freedom and people’s right to information.
