Press
Release, 17 October 2005
Int.
Organisations Condemn Further Restrictions on Press Freedoms and Freedom
of Expression |
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ARTICLE 19
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Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
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International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
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International Media Support (IMS)
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International Press Institute (IPI)
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Press Institute of India (PII)
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Reporters sans Frontières (RSF)
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South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA)
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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation (UNESCO)
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World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)
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World Association of Newspapers (WAN)
This
statement is issued by members of the 'International Press Freedom and
Freedom of Expression Mission to Nepal'.
We,
as members of the 'International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression
Mission to Nepal', express our serious concern that HM King Gyanendra,
together with the government and security forces, is seeking to further
undermine Nepal's vibrant independent media, which has been opposing the
actions of the authorities to curb press freedoms and freedom of expression
since 1 February 2005.
In
specific, we condemn the 'Ordinance Amending some of the Nepal Act related
to Media' promulgated on 9 October. This Ordinance contains a number of
provisions to amend existing media laws, thereby introducing strict controls
over the publication and broadcast of materials and ownership of the media,
as well as introducing harsher penalties for those considered to be contravening
the law.
Penalties
have increased dramatically, with journalists charged with defamation now
facing fines ten-times higher than before, and a possible two-year jail
term. The Ordinance also prohibits an organisation or individual from receiving
licenses to operate radio, television and newspapers. Those who have already
been granted licenses to operate all three media are now limited to choosing
any two forms within a year.
Other
provisions ban the importing of foreign publications that contain prohibited
information and barring FM stations from broadcasting news-related programmes.
These stations will be limited to airing "informative" programmes on health,
education, weather, road and transport conditions and other similar development
topics, whilst being banned from addressing, amongst others, "any subject
matters with negative effects to political parties," "offensive matters,"
and "any matters against non-aligned foreign policy of Nepal". Under the
Ordinance any news that "causes hatred or disrespect" to any member of
the royal family will also be prohibited.
We
wish to reaffirm our solidarity with the media community and freedom of
expression advocates in Nepal who continue to be the victims of intimidation,
harassment, repression and violence. In this regard, we will continue to
support the media community, without any intention to interfere in the
editorial lines of the Nepali media.
We
praise the media community for its dynamism in defending media rights and
freedom of expression and call on the authorities to reconsider the 'Ordinance
Amending some of the Nepal Act related to Media', as well as end all forms
of direct and indirect censorship, intimidation, harassment and attacks
against the media community and freedom of expression advocates.
In
addition, we urge the international community to step up support for the
independent media in order to help save one of the kingdom's last surviving
democratic gains.
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