Nepali media face multiple challenges
Despite a significant shift in the political atmosphere of the country after the success of the democratic movement, Nepali media over the past year continued to face hurdles, harassment and obstruction that led to the restriction in free flow of information.
Some important changes have been observed in the past one year but the situation is still far from satisfactory. The unstable political situation and the government’s inability to address the demands put forth by various groups, which has led to continuation of unrest, are the major contributing factors for spoiling the atmosphere.
While the media was out in the front in the movement led by the political parties last year to topple the King’s regime, the parties who had repeatedly expressed commitments to adhere to principles of press freedom and unhindered access to information are yet to keep those promises.
State Indifference
General secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Mahendra Bista sees the traditional psychology in political leadership and their consideration towards addressing only the political issues at this period as the cause of lack in improvement in situation of press freedom.
Bista says the threats and harassment to journalists came from the parties in struggle like Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) and other various groups who were rather demanding their representation in political mainstream. The agitating parties made several attempts to press media to disseminate of news of their interests.
President of South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), Nepal chapter Gopal Thapaliya says the criminal groups have been the biggest threat to journalists and media workers in Terai. “During the military rule by the King, media persons had worked openly though they faced censorship. But today, their lives are at risk, any one identifying himself as media person in Terai has to take risk of his life. This is the most serious issue that state has failed to address today,” he added.
He accused the eight parties to be dictatorial in terms of guaranteeing the press freedom and freedom of expression of the citizens.
The ruling parties, against their earlier commitments, continue to take government owned media as their party propaganda instruments. Changes in the leadership in these media institutions continue. Bista says this is of most undemocratic nature. Thapaliya says this would violate the right to correct information guaranteed to the citizens.
Facts and Figures
According to the report by Freedom Forum, 32 cases of attacks on journalists have been recorded in the period between April 25, 2006 and April 14, 2007 . The cases of attacks in this period have risen from 18 in the same period in 2005-2006.
The number of threats recorded has more than doubled to 83 over the past year, compared to 33 in 2005-2006.
There is a drastic reduction in the cases of arrests, manhandling and beating of journalists. But the actions of the government, Maoists and other groups have led to continued unsafe working conditions for journalists, and have hindered the free flow of information.
No significant progress has been made with regard to media law or policy though the interim constitution makes progressive provisions regarding the press freedom and security of the working journalists.
In the Terai region in particular, journalists faced death threats during strikes and protests carried out by the MJF, the JTMM, the Madhesi Tigers, the Chure Bhawar Ekata Samaj and other groups. Following death threats or threats of physical actions, journalists were forced to write favourable reports of these groups’ activities.
The Maoist leadership has repeatedly expressed its commitment to press freedom but their cadres continue to harass, threaten and abuse journalists.
More than 112 journalists have been manhandled, mistreated or beaten by members of the MJF, JTMM, the Madhesi Tigers, other political parties of the eight party coalition and security forces. 26 journalists were arrested and detained by the police and Maoists and two cases of abduction were recorded in this period.
13 cases where publications were banned or confiscated, including one instance when the state owned Nepal Television channel cancelled the transmission of one of its programmes Sarbajanik Sunuwai (public hearing) have been recorded. Similarly, six cases of unfair dismissal from job, three cases of legal action and three cases of administrative action were recorded in the period.
Of the 83 death threats or threats of violence in 2063, most were issued by the MJF, JTMM and the Madhesi Tiger groups. Maoist, Janajati bodies and other political party members, including their student bodies, are also implicated.
In the same period, more than two dozen district newspapers, mostly in the Terai, remained closed for several days amid the escalating situation. Around a dozen journalists in the Terai had to leave their place of work due to threats, physical assault and concerns about their safety.
In recent weeks, working journalists of Nepal 1 television have launched agitation against the management demanding regular pay, fixed working hours and appointment letters, among others.
Two major positive steps that must be mentioned here include the government nullifying the media ordinance implemented by the former royal government, and the drafting of a new media related laws.
The government also formed a media commission to seek suggestions for changes in media laws and regulations, and several other taskforces were created. However, the recommendations of these commissions and taskforces remain unimplemented despite the efforts of concerned parties.
By the end of the year about 200 FM radio stations and a dozen TV companies have received licenses for operation.
Several new newspapers have appeared in districts including Tillotama, Naya Satta and Loktantrik weekly. Naya Patrika, a new broadsheet daily appeared on the market at the beginning of the New Year and Sagarmatha Television and Avenues Television continue to prepare for transmission.
In other positive steps, Unity International has introduced an insurance scheme for journalists and The Kathmandu Post joined the Asian News Network, helping Nepali news reach a wider readership in Asia.
Online media, however, is still struggling for stability. Several online news portals that appeared during the King’s rule have vanished, despite a few new ones emerging. Surviving portals, with a few exceptions, have failed to adequately serve Internet news consumers. In contrast, however, the number of bloggers has increased and is set to further increase. Despite the obvious expansion of online journalism, the government is yet to recognize it as a full-fledged media.
Conclusion
Media played a vital role in raising political awareness, bringing about social change and economic development and encouraging the government to adopt more flexible media regulations. Yet the situation of media freedom has not met the expectation.
To start a new paradigm for Nepali media in new Nepal, press freedom activists stress the need to adopt the media legislation immediately and measures to assure the security of the working journalists.
Published in Nepalnews.com