Situation of the Freedom of Press in Nepal

After the popular movement for the restoration of the democracy in 1990, the interim government started to function from the democratic norms and values for the development and others guided by the movement. This government issued the democratic constitution in November 1991. At that period, the government also formed a press Recommendations Committee under the chairmanship of Narahari Acharya. According to its recommendations, the first elected government submitted the amended version of New Constitution Policy- 1992 to the parliament and the Bill was enacted by the majority of the parliament and also issued the Printing and Publication Regulation- 1992.

Electronic Media

In comparison to the government controlled publication house and media, the private publication houses and newspapers are working and carrying the news effectively. Not only printing media, the electronic media are principally aware regarding the norms of journalism and the requirement of their audience. The state owned Radio Nepal has been proceeding toward privatization. The time of Radio Nepal has been sold out to private agencies, especially Radio Nepal's FM program.

Printing Media

The Nepali print media includes various newspapers which represent different section in society. The private publication houses came into being after the restoration of democracy and are regularly publishing varieties of newspapers and magazines. Several other eveningers, weeklies, fortnightly and monthly newspapers/magazines are contributing to the freedom of press as responsible members of the society.

There has been an upsurge in the number of journalists also over this period. According to Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), it has a total membership of nearly 2,500 people. There are 939 newspapers registered in District Administration Offices all over the country. Of these, only 131 newspapers are being published regularly in daily, weekly and fortnightly basis. On the regionwise basis, 154 papers are published from Eastern Development Region, 653 from Central Development Region, 78 from Western development Region, 36 from Mid-western development Region and 18 from far-western Development Region. Of them, there are 886 papers in Nepali, 33 in English, 7 in Newari, 8 in Hindi, 2 in Maithili, 2 in Bhojpuri and 1 in Sherpa language.

Violation of Freedom of Media Professionals

Over the last year (May 3, 1997 - May 2, 1998), a total of 27 journalists were arrested by local authorities in the name of violation of peace and security of the state under existing laws. Some of them have even been taken into custody for the investigation and were released only after court verdict.

Editor of Jana Aastha weekly and Secretary of FNJ Kishor Shreshtha was unofficially arrested by the police and handed over to the military (April 8, 1998) for publishing a news report entitled "Secret report and Plan of Action of military Insurgence" prepared by Royal Nepal Army to contain the more than two-year-old Maoist rebellion against Maoist activities. This is considered first such incidence of military intervention against the press in Nepal after the restoration of democracy in 1990. This year, the copy of foreign publication, India Today magazine (January 9, 1998 issue) was unofficially banned which carried a news report from the Jain Commission's report about the alleged involvement of Nepalese Queen in the assassination of Indian premier Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

The List of Arrested Journalists (May 3, 1997 - May 2, 1998)

1. Kishor Shreshtha (Secretary, Federation of Nepalese Journalists- FNJ)- detained and released
2. Shakti Lamsal (Prishthabhumi)- jailed for participating in a Maoist organized demonstration, but released after the court order
3. Madhusudan Baidhya (Central Member, FNJ, Dang) detained for allegedly participating in the Maoist movement
4. Bhim Prakash Sharma (Janadesh Weekly)- jailed under similar pretext and released later by the court order
5. Milan Nepali- detained and released
6. Bharat Burja Magar- detained and released
7. Govinda Poudel- detained and released
8. Om Sharma- detained and released
9. Dhan Bahadur Magar (Janadesh Weekly)- detained and released
10. Ram Yonjan (Chhargam) Tamang- jailed and released by the court order
11. Subash Kshetri- detained and released
12. Netra Neupane (Mahima)- detained and released
13. Aparajit Dhakal (Chairman of Hawkers' Association)- show casue by the court
14. Devi Prasad Dulal (reporter, Janadesh weekly, Sindhupalchowk)- detained and released
15. Ram Karki- detained and released
16. Suresh Ale Magar- detained, released by the court order
17. Baikuntha Dahal (Udayapur) journalists and human rights activists- arrested
18. Dev Kumar Yadav (Reporter Mahima Weekly, Siraha)- arrested
19. Patiraj Neupane (Reporter, Janadesh weekly, Dhanusha)- arrested
20. Suman Dhakal (Reporter, Mahima weekly)- arrested
21. Indra Mani Bhusal (Reporter, Janadesh Weekly, Nawalparasi)- arrested
22. Devendra Malla (Jajarkot)- arrested
23. Kewa Rana- arrested
24. Ashok Subedi (Naulo Bihani, Ramechhap)- arrested
25. Matrika Pokhrel (Literary Bedana, Udayapur)- arrested
26. Shankar Thapa (Reporter, Nawa Aawaj, Jnakapurdham)- jailed

Attacks and misbehavior by the Police

1. Loknath Sangraula (Editor, RSS)
2. Thakur Birahi (Reporter, Tarun Weekly)
3. Sanjaya Ghimire (Himalaya Times)
4. Ananta Raj Luitel (Prakash Weekly)
5. Editor (Good Morning, Kanchanpur)

House and Newspaper Office Raided by Police

1. Residence of Om Sharma
2. Office of Jana Aastha Weekly

Vandalization by Public

1. Office of Nawa Aawaj weekly
2. Office of Naya Morcha weekly
3. Office of Prakash Weekly and members
4. Office of Adarsha Samaj weekly in Pokhara

Conclusion

Number of violation of freedom of expression and press and publication right are increasing. Media persons are subject to various forms of risks during the period of reporting especially in cases of smuggling and corruption. They are also facing threats like arrests, detention, attacks (both from government and public), harassment (both police and people) and contempt of court. It is hoped that the Nepali press will continue to play its watchdog role in the days to come. At the same time, there is the need of greater solidarity between the media professionals. The press should also highlight cases of infringement of its rights both by the government and private citizens, build up public opinion against such cases and resort to legal redressal should the need arise.

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