(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is an AMARC press release: Radio Sagarmatha re-opens after court ruling Montreal, 29 November, 2005 – Radio Sagarmatha in Kathmandu, Nepal recommenced broadcasts today (29 November) at 4:40 pm following an interim order of the Nepal Supreme Court enabling the community radio station to return to the airwaves after being closed […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is an AMARC press release:
Radio Sagarmatha re-opens after court ruling
Montreal, 29 November, 2005 – Radio Sagarmatha in Kathmandu, Nepal recommenced broadcasts today (29 November) at 4:40 pm following an interim order of the Nepal Supreme Court enabling the community radio station to return to the airwaves after being closed by an unannounced police raid on Sunday, 27 November.
The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) strongly condemned the action of the Government of Nepal in closing Radio Sagarmatha, describing the action as a gross violation of free speech. AMARC welcomed the Supreme Court’s interim decision and called for the closure order to be annulled, an end to attacks on journalists and the media, and respect for the right to freedom of expression in Nepal.
Radio Sagarmatha was closed in a police raid at 8:55 pm on Sunday night. Five employees – Durga Karki, Rajendra Rijal, Dipak Babu Aryal, Deepak Raj Pandey and Punya Bhandari – were arrested and taken to the District Police Office in Lalitpur. Durga Karka was released the same evening. The other four were held overnight and released on Monday evening. Radio Sagarmatha filed a case with the Nepal Supreme Court on Monday to stay the closure order and was granted an interim stay today, until 7 December, enabling it to return to normal broadcasting.
The police action was apparently in response to a planned broadcast on the BBC Nepali service of an interview with Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda. The interview concerned the recent understanding reached between the Maoist rebels and Nepali political parties on the resolution of the conflict in the country. Radio Sagarmatha, which relays the BBC service, did not carry the interview.
The police confiscated the satellite equipment used by Radio Sagarmatha to receive the BBC service. It has been reported that the government also suspended the airing by Radio Nepal of the BBC Nepali service and prevented seven other radio stations from carrying the service.
The action is the latest of a series of attacks on Radio Sagarmatha and other broadcasters since 1 February 2005, when King Gyanendra of Nepal assumed executive power and introduced military rule.
Notes:
Radio Sagarmatha, set up in 1997, is the longest established community radio station in South Asia and has been a pioneer for community radio in the region. In 2003 it hosted, in Kathmandu, the Eighth World Conference of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC 8). For further information and messages of support, contact: stationmanager@radiosagarmatha.org or visit http://www.radiosagarmatha.org
AMARC is an international non-governmental organization serving the community radio movement in over 110 countries, and advocating for the right to communicate at the international, national, local and neighbourhood levels. AMARC has an International Secretariat in Montreal. It has regional sections in Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific and offices in Johannesburg, Buenos Aires and Kathmandu.
