EDITOR'S NOTE
The recent tragic events in Nepal have exposed the total uselessness of
the print and electronic media managed under governmental supervision. Indeed, the nation
was overwhelmed with excessive grief and sorrow and no Nepali in the world, not only in
Nepal, must have been yearning for any kind of entertainment whatsoever from NTV or Nepal
Radio. But, that all Nepalis were most impatiently waiting to be informed in detail about
the sad happenings needs no emphasis. Since their own media failed to meet their right to
information guaranteed by the constitution, they had to turn to foreign media, specially
the Indian electronic media. Since the media in India have developed a certain bias
against Nepal and the Nepalese people, they seldom follow the accepted norms of objective
reporting. Their unqualified prejudice has often perpetrated immeasurable harm on poor
Nepal's development and economy, resulting in souring relations between the two friendly
countries. Even during the recent heart rending happenings in the Nepalese capital when
the whole nation was reeling under the unbearable catastrophe, some Indian T.V. channels,
who were granted permission by the government to cover the unhappy episode were feeling
disinformation to the world while inciting the wounded sentiments of the aggrieved
Nepalese people. Even the magnitude of the tragedy could not generate any feelings of
sorrow and sympathy in their hearts. By talking to a couple of spectators on the streets
of Kathmandu, they had the temerity to report that it was the public opinion in Nepal.
Some even think those who spoke to the Indian TV could have been planted every Nepali,
without any exception, was most deeply hurt by the callous behavior of the Indian T.V.
journalists. Why the government in Nepal persisted in allowing these alien T.V. channels
to project the baseless jaundiced views is beyond our comprehension. Not using our own
media to report the truth and relying on antagonistic channels whose loaded reportings did
more damage has forced many patriotic Nepalis to think whether the ministry of information
has become redundant. There are some who even believe that the Nepalese media has played
into the hands of the Indian media why do we need a TV network which cannot counter
malicious publicity by any unfriendly TV media? Will concerned people look into the affair
and talk NTV to task?
* * *
The freedom of press an Nepal got a severe
jolt at the arrest and detention of the Kantipur daily's editor and publication officials.
Even though sub clause 1 of article 13 of the constitution has empowered the government to
take action against violations of the clause, prosecution of the Kantipur officials smacks
of prejudice and retribution. This becomes more glaring when the government has not taken
any action whatsoever against the author of the article in question for which they have
been booked. For a government that boasts of having a long democratic character, attempts
to gag the press does not only reflect its hypocritical behavior but also presages some
kind of danger to democratic process. We do trust the government will refrain from
attributing any subjective angle to the case and release the journalists without undue
delay.
| Chief-Editor & Publisher |
: Madhav Kumar Rimal |
| Editor |
: Sarita Rimal |
| Managing Editor |
: Keshab Poudel |
| Associate Editor |
: Bhagirath Yogi |
| Senior Reporter |
: Sanjaya Dhakal |
| Reporter |
: Akshay Sharma |
| Photographer |
: Nishchal Chapagain |
| Editorial Office |
: GPO Box 7256,Baluwatar,Kathmandu, Nepal. |
| Telephone |
: 977 1 423 127 |
| Fax |
: 977 1 417 845 |
| email |
: spotligh@mos.com.np |
|
