Media censorship in Nepal is a violation of fundamental rights, says UNESCO

Kathmandu – A high–level UNESCO mission has strongly expressed its serious concern over the “significantly deteriorated” condition of the media freedom in Nepal.

A mission, comprising 12 international institutions campaigning for the cause of Press freedom and media rights across the globe, has visited the Himalayan Kingdom to asses the current state of freedom of expression, press freedom and media rights in the region.

The mission comprising UNESCO, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, Committee to Protect Journalists, International Federation of Journalists, International Media Support, International Press Institute, Press Institute of India, Reporters Sans Frontiers, South Asian Free Media Association, World Association of Newspapers and the World Press Freedom Committee, has been in Nepal since July 10 to assess the situation of the Press freedom and right of freedom of expression in the country.

During a media advocacy workshop that was held recently in Nepal, the Assistant Director General of UNESCO, Abdul Wakif Khan stressed on the importance of the Press Freedom. “Press freedom like any other fundamental freedoms is indispensable for a properly functioning society. Nepal will not be able to live in peace without respecting these fundamental rights,” said Khan.

During the course, the mission visited a few places outside Kathmandu and interacted with local media persons.

The mission said that the district media, in particular, are working under difficult conditions.

The mission has held the security forces responsible for abusing and contravening press freedom and freedom of expression. It concluded that till date the Nepali media is undergoing direct and indirect censorship.

“We express grave concern that since February 1, press freedom and freedom of expression in the country has deteriorated significantly, despite the lifting of the State of Emergency in April,” said Jesper Hogberg, Executive Director of International Media Support in his report made public during a press conference at the end of its weeklong visit to Nepal.

“We express concern over the lack of transparency of the security forces in their role, intentions and dealings with the media and media related issues. We request assurances that the security forces respect freedom of expression and press freedom across the entire country,” he added. “The particular emphasis is on the media in the district outside Kathmandu. We express grave concern about killings, attacks, disappearance, intimidation, harassment detention and displacement of media practitioners and freedom of expression advocates and demand that all such incidents cease immediately. The radio stations in Nepal should not be prevented from broadcasting news in compliance with the constitution, supreme court decisions, national legislation guarantee, press freedom and freedom of expression.”

Expressing its solidarity with the ongoing protests of journalists at Baneswar, the mission said that it would campaign across the world for press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal.

“FM Radio is the one to speak out people’s voice in correct manner. Now with the closure of news casting, the government has totally stopped the voice of the people,” said a broadcast journalist.

Journalists conducted a voting on whether news should be broadcasted through FM stations or not and got an overwhelming positive response in favor of the former.

Meanwhile, Minister of Forest, Saleem Miya Ansari, speaking on behalf of the king, has claimed that the government has no intention against rights of media professionals and the media censorship lately imposed by the government are meant at “developing balanced, disciplined and respectful media for creating conflict–free society.”

“Nepalese media should play a crucial role for all–round development of the country and people while abiding by democratic norms, values and ideals,” he said.