Scribes torch fiat copies; 16 held
Himalayan News Service
Kathmandu, October 29:
A group of journalists today burned copies of the media ordinance, promulgated by the government recently. They also held a protest programme at Ratnapark, which the government has termed as prohibited area.
Sixteen journalists were arrested in the police action that ensued after their burning of the ordinance’s copies this afternoon. They were, however, released in the evening. Undeterred by the arrests, another group of journalists assembled there and burnt copies of the ordinance and also held a protest programme at Bhotahity.
Addressing the programme, senior journalist Harihar Birahi said the ordinance would not only prohibit journalists from reporting the truth without barriers, it would also curb the right of citizens to get correct information about the country. “We will keep defying the ordinance until it is annulled,” he said.
Mahendra Bista, general secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, condemned the police action against the protesting journalists and demanded the government withdraw the ordinance. Rishi Dhamala of Reporters’ Club, Kiran Pokhrel of Nepal Press Union and others were among other speakers at the programme.
Balkrishna Chapagai, chairman of Press Chautari, who is among those arrested, said from Mahendra Police Club that the arrest of the journalists was a proof of the government’s intention to curb the press freedom. “Arrests and police action will only accelerate the protests, the government should know this,” he said.
Aside from Chapagai, those arrested are Bharat Raj Paudel, Gagan Bista, Bhimsen Rajbahak, Kishor Shrestha, Rajendra Aryal, Rohit Dahal, Gopal Khanal, Ranhari Silwal, Chetnath Dhamala, Govinda Chaulagai, Prakash Silwal, Bishwa Mani Subedi and Janmadev Jaishi. Mediapersons also staged a protest rally in Pokhara against the ordinance.
The rally started from Prithvi Narayan Chowk at 8:30 am, passed through Nayabazaar, Mahendra Pul and culminated as a street corner meeting after reaching Chipledhunga. A copy of the ordinance was also burnt on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting central vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Ganga Dhar Parajuli said the ordinance had robbed people of their right to information.
Central member of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Bharat Mohan Adhikari said the ordinance was unconstitutional and that it was promulgated to suppress democracy. Adhikari said that the political parties would help in the anti-ordinance movement and urged journalists to intensify their stir.
Chairman of the Broadcasting Association, Shiva Lal Malla claimed that hundreds of journalists working in FM Stations had lost their jobs because of the ordinance.
Kathmandu, October 29:
A group of journalists today burned copies of the media ordinance, promulgated by the government recently. They also held a protest programme at Ratnapark, which the government has termed as prohibited area.
Sixteen journalists were arrested in the police action that ensued after their burning of the ordinance’s copies this afternoon. They were, however, released in the evening. Undeterred by the arrests, another group of journalists assembled there and burnt copies of the ordinance and also held a protest programme at Bhotahity.
Addressing the programme, senior journalist Harihar Birahi said the ordinance would not only prohibit journalists from reporting the truth without barriers, it would also curb the right of citizens to get correct information about the country. “We will keep defying the ordinance until it is annulled,” he said.
Mahendra Bista, general secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, condemned the police action against the protesting journalists and demanded the government withdraw the ordinance. Rishi Dhamala of Reporters’ Club, Kiran Pokhrel of Nepal Press Union and others were among other speakers at the programme.
Balkrishna Chapagai, chairman of Press Chautari, who is among those arrested, said from Mahendra Police Club that the arrest of the journalists was a proof of the government’s intention to curb the press freedom. “Arrests and police action will only accelerate the protests, the government should know this,” he said.
Aside from Chapagai, those arrested are Bharat Raj Paudel, Gagan Bista, Bhimsen Rajbahak, Kishor Shrestha, Rajendra Aryal, Rohit Dahal, Gopal Khanal, Ranhari Silwal, Chetnath Dhamala, Govinda Chaulagai, Prakash Silwal, Bishwa Mani Subedi and Janmadev Jaishi. Mediapersons also staged a protest rally in Pokhara against the ordinance.
The rally started from Prithvi Narayan Chowk at 8:30 am, passed through Nayabazaar, Mahendra Pul and culminated as a street corner meeting after reaching Chipledhunga. A copy of the ordinance was also burnt on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting central vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Ganga Dhar Parajuli said the ordinance had robbed people of their right to information.
Central member of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Bharat Mohan Adhikari said the ordinance was unconstitutional and that it was promulgated to suppress democracy. Adhikari said that the political parties would help in the anti-ordinance movement and urged journalists to intensify their stir.
Chairman of the Broadcasting Association, Shiva Lal Malla claimed that hundreds of journalists working in FM Stations had lost their jobs because of the ordinance.
