 |
Press freedoms in Nepal continue to face serious threat despite the hope that restoration of democratic rules would improve the situation.
The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) recorded a staggering 342 press freedom violations in 2008 alone, including a significant escalation in the number of physical attacks on journalists and media houses. Four journalists-Uma Singh, J P Joshi, Birendra Sah and Pushkar Bahadur Shrestha-have been killed since 2006. The International Mission calls on the authorities to undertake prompt, independent and impartial investigation of these and all other cases of murder and disappearances of journalists.
Another journalist, Prakash Singh Thakuri, has been missing since July 2007. Late last year the government withdrew charges against the accused, who was earlier released on bail. The International Mission also calls for an investigation into the killing of Dekendra Thapa, after his remains were found last year.
The International Mission is deeply worried about the attacks on media houses, including Kantipur, Himalmedia, Ankush, Ramaroshan FM and the APCA Group. Such attacks on media workers, publications and property are unacceptable. Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions. Any substantive grievances over work conditions must be addressed through dialogue and negotiation.
The International Mission is concerned that due process is not being observed in the cases against Rishi Dhamala, Ram Subhak Mahato, Birendra KM, Manoj Mahato.
The ongoing attacks, threats and harassment of media personnel and organisations are having a chilling effect on press freedom. Free and open debate is being undermined with journalists and media being forced into self-censorship, seriously jeopardising the peace and democratisation process currently underway in the country.
A pattern in the attacks and harassment is discernible. Critical reporting is being met with violence and perpetrators go unpunished. The authorities are failing in their duty to prevent, punish and redress the harm caused by such attacks. The violation of journalists' rights is a direct infringement of the public right to information. Furthermore, the links between political parties and some of the perpetrators of these violent acts are a matter of serious concern and would indicate the acceptance, and possible complicity, of those political parties in the violence.
Conditions for women journalists, already seriously underrepresented in the profession, are of particular concern as they are more vulnerable to attack and harassment, and are being forced to leave their work and sometimes to move away from home due to such pressures.
As of now, not one person has been convicted for a criminal act against journalists and media houses, and the International Mission calls on the prime minister and the government to follow up their commitment to end impunity.
The International Mission draws attention to the following six points:
* Guarantees of freedom of expression for all and press freedom must be enshrined in the new constitution
* The Right to Information Act should be properly enforced so as to give practical effect to the presumption in favour of disclosure
* The government should end control of media and introduce Public Service Broadcasting
* An independent regulator for broadcasting should be created in place of direct government control
* Criminal defamation should be abolished and defamation should be addressed only through civil law
* The Working Journalists' Act should be implemented and accompanied by regular dialogue between media workers and owners
The International Mission is convinced that all media stakeholders must rally around the common goal of safeguarding freedom of expression and urges the international community to support the national media community in its efforts to defend press freedom.
