International Solidarity
The mission of international media professionals lend a crucial support to Nepali journalists who are facing difficult times
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
A high-profile media mission consisting of 12 international organizations wrapped up their 8-day-long study tour to Nepal expressing full solidarity with the Nepalese journalists and raising concerns about their safety and freedom.
In a statement released after their 8-day-long study and interactions, the mission said, “We are gravely concerned with the continued systematic attacks, threats of disappearance, intimidation, harassment, sexual abuse in custody, and arbitrary detention of media practitioners by the security forces, specially in the districts, and demand that all such incidents cease immediately.”
At a press conference held at the end of their tour, Jesper Hojberg, the director of International Media Support, said the anti-terrorism legislation must not be used to curb freedom of expression and to detain media practitioners arbitrarily. It urged the government to abolish one-door advertisement policy and stop exerting pressure on commercial entities to refrain from advertising in independent publications. The 17-member mission consisted of 12 international media organizations including ARTICLE 19, Free Voice, International Federation of Journalists, International Freedom of Expression Exchange, International Media Support, International News Safety Institute, International Press Institute, Reporters sans Frontières, South Asia Press Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and World Press Freedom Committee.
During the visit, which was the continuation of the international advocacy mission that visited Nepal in July last year, mission members held extensive consultations with media workers, professional organizations, leaders, ministers, officials and even Maoist representatives.
“The mission is a part of international solidarity to the struggles of the Nepali journalists for the restoration of press freedom and democracy,” said Bishnu Nishthuri, president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists. He added that such visits will encourage and inspire Nepalese journalists to fight for their right as well as the right of people to get information.
In their statement issued at the end of their visit, the international mission - despite the claims of Minister of State for Information and Communication and Home Minister that the government was committed to press freedom - said they noted that an alarming number of cases of harassment, intimidation, illegal detention, torture, restrictive directives, destruction and seizure of equipment, and attacks on media houses by all parties to the conflict. The mission also criticized the Maoists for not respecting the press freedom and harassing media professional while in work fields.
“Of particular concern is the increasing involvement of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) and armed police forces in press freedom and freedom of expression violations, as well as interference in the media sphere,” their statement noted, adding, “Proposals for a broadcasting authority and the creation of a media council through new media ordinances will further endanger the survival of the independent media and freedom of expression in the country, as these will reportedly introduce highly restrictive provisions against independent media, placing curbs on freedom of expression and press freedom in contradiction to the principles of the 1990 Constitution of Nepal.”
The mission also raised objection to the government admission “to supporting an alternative journalists’ association” as unacceptable interference in media. “The refusal of the government to respect freedom of expression and press freedom erodes 15 years of development for the media community in Nepal , as well as undermines democratic and economic progress and the chances of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the country.”
The mission also asked the international community to continue to address the violations of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal , and seize every opportunity to promote these rights.
The Mission visited Pokhara, Surkhet and Birtamod and met with local civil authorities and representatives of the local media.
