Media timeline since the coup

Events in the Nepalese media landscape since Feb. 1, 2005

By Vincent Lim
AsiaMedia Contributing Writer

February, 2005

King Gyanendra announced a coup, dismissed the Dueba government, declared a state of internal emergency and cut off communications with the rest of the world. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) condemned the 'coup against democracy' as the military took control of Nepal's media houses and security forces clashed with Maoists attempting to raid a TV station in an act of protest against the King's power grab. The Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and IFJ all expressed concerns about press freedoms in the country.

Nepal's new government banned criticism of security forces and gave itself authority to monitor and block telephones, radio, fax and e-mail. Phone services returned briefly on Feb. 4, only to be cut off again. Internet and phone services access were restored on Feb. 8 allowing NepalNews and other Nepalese sites back online, but on Feb. 18, the regime cut phone lines again across the nation to prevent protestors from organizing rallies.

Publication of newspapers resumed under the directives of the Royal Proclamation on Feb. 7.

March, 2005

FNJ submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office demanding that press censorship be immediately lifted. FNJ also demanded the release of its representatives, including FNJ Panchthar district president Laba Dev Dhungana who was sentenced to a three-month long detention under the Public Security Act, and protested house searches.

The government issued new directives to newspapers stating that directly or indirectly supporting terrorism will be punished and ordered editors to only publish information provided by security forces. Minister of Information and Communications, Tanka Dhakal, further said that the government only imposes restrictions on writings that encourage terrorism. The District Administration Office communiqué also reminded journalists that 'stern action' will be taken against publishing of materials against Feb. 1 Royal Proclamation.

The criminal investigation department summoned Kantipur editor Narayan Wagle about his news report on protests; they questioned him for one hour before and then released him. Authorities also summoned the editor of pro-UML weekly Budhabar, who could face jail time for 'publishing prohibited matters.'

Maoist rebels abducted a reporter working for Himal Khabarpatrika, but released him three days later. Reports surfaced suggesting that a newscaster working for state-owned Radio Nepal abducted in July of 2002 was killed by Maoist insurgents within six months of his capture.

April, 2005

King Gyanendra lifted the state of emergency two days earlier than scheduled, but journalists remained confused about the status of press freedom in the country.

FNJ negotiated the release of two journalists taken into custody by local authorities shortly after the Feb. 1 coup. The royal government released ex-Deputy Prime Minister Adhikari and 60 other political detainees.

The South Asian Free Media Association asked the South Asian media community to observe May 3 as Press Freedom Day in remembrance of journalists under attack in Nepal. The Ministry of Information issued a circular stating that all government ads will now only be provided to state-run media outlets.

BBC said state-run Radio Nepal was in breach of contract for blocking news transmissions of BBC World Service. A member of the FNJ filed a writ with the Supreme Court challenging the King's ban on news broadcasts over FM radio.

May, 2005

The Ministry of Information and Communications said Communication Corner "was being run illegally" and ordered it to be shut down. In response, Communication Corner filed a writ challenging the government's order and FRPM held a protest in Kathmandu.

State-run newspaper Gorkhapatra daily claimed that the hundreds of Nepalis who participated in pro-democracy rally in Washington, D.C., were hired, which led to accusations that the newspaper used fabricated quotes in a news report about the rally.

The royal government touted security improvements in the 100 days since the takeover; state and privately-owned media disagreed on the meaning of the passing of the 100-day unofficial deadline for the resumption of the democratic process.

Newly elected FNJ president Bishnu Nisthuri pledged to save journalists from the crisis in Nepal, as FNJ organized rallies throughout Nepal to protest a proposed amendment to the country's media laws that could further limit press freedom.

June, 2005

Protests against the government ban on FM radio newscasts continued, as the Supreme Court asked authorities to explain the reasons behind the ban. Tensions between radio journalists and the government escalated despite an invitation from the Ministry for Information and Communication for FM journalists to talk with government officials. The negotiation failed and FM radio stations defied the ban on news reports. Radio journalists adopted the Kathmandu Declaration that called for the immediate lifting of the ban.

The Supreme Court told authorities to hand over documents in the Communications Corner case. The Court repealed the government's directive to close the media house.

Police arrested 50 journalists at an FNJ rally and 48 journalists staging another protest in Kathmandu less than one week later. District authorities in Karve told police to put a bomb threat aside in order to focus on arresting journalists protesting in Banepa. Police violently attacked journalists staging a peaceful demonstration in Kalaiya.

July, 2005

The government allowed mobile phone services outside of Kathmandu to resume for the first time since Feb. 1, but a large number of pre-paid mobile phone users continued to remain without service because of security concerns.

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) also said the government planned to dismiss Nepal Television (NTV) journalists involved with the movement for press freedom, but the government did allow Nepal 1, a Nepali language TV channel based in India, to resume telecasting its programs in Nepal.

In spite of government efforts to loosen media restrictions, the international advocacy mission for press freedom concluded that the state of press freedom in Nepal had significantly deteriorated since the royal coup. Before leaving, delegates of the international advocacy mission spoke with Minister Dhakal who told them that there were no media restrictions in Nepal, but journalists gave conflicting reports.

The Khaleej Times published an editorial claiming the anti-corruption commission now served the function of punishing the King's political enemies, and the Federation of Nepalese Journalists claimed the Federation of Nationalist Journalists worked for the royal government.

Journalists, rights activists and other prominent professionals took to the streets in a peaceful demostration for popular sovereignty, but police intervened in the pro-democracy rally and arrested protesters as they marched toward a designated "prohibited zone." Police later released the arrested protesters.

August, 2005

FNJ condemned the government's decision to order Nepal FM 91.8 to forfeit its operating license for violating the ban on airing news on FM radio. In response to the government's threat, the radio station filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court challenging the order. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Nepal 91.8 and issued a stay order against the government, which prompted many FM radio stations to begin airing news programs again.

Nepal Telecom employees resumed their protests against the ban on pre-paid mobile service in Nepal, which forced authorities to allow the company to reopen pre-paid lines for the first time since Feb. 1. However, authorities required pre-paid mobile phone subscribers to provide photo identification, fingerprints and other personal information to the government before being allowed to resume using their celluar phones.

The Minister of Information and Communication warned media houses that the government would hold them responsible for the news they disseminated. As a show of solidarity, police threated action against the editors of Kantipur and the Kathmandu Post for publishing a political cartoon that ran on the front page of both newspapers, which lead CPJ to release a statement expressing concerns about press freedom in Nepal.

September, 2005

State-run government media outlets decided to 'black out' news about the Maoists' declaration of ceasefire. IFJ hailed the Maoist's announcement, and the organization's president called it "a very positive sign."

Authorities in Dailekh threatened a dozen journalists into leaving the district and placed Kantipur correspondent Harihar Singh Rathour under house arrest. Police later charged Rathour under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Ordinance. FNJ spoke with Dailekh authorities about the Kantipur reporter's arrest and threats to journalists in the district. FNJ then negotiated Rathour's release and urged journalists to return to work in Dailekh.

Police arrested over 500 at pro-democracy rally in Ratna Park and assaulted several journalists covering the event. FNJ claimed that police used excessive force against the journalists covering rally.

In a seperate incident, authorities arrested 87 journalists at a protest for press freedom in Ratna Park.

October, 2005

King Gyanendra announced plans to issue a media ordinance that would increase fines for publishing banned material and renew the ban on FM radio news. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned the ordinance and demanded its immediate withdrawal, while the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) stated that it would launch protests against the 'black ordinance.'

A writ petition was filed in Nepal's Supreme Court that demanded that the ordinance be annulled. The Supreme Court issued show cause notices to the government regarding the ordinance after preliminary hearings of the petition. The royal government then warned the Nepalaese media not to violate ordinance, as the Supreme Court postponed hearings on new press law because of the Tihar holidays.

Authorities seized transmission equipment from Kantipur FM, and the station stated that it would take its case against the government to the Supreme Court. The Ministry of Information and Communications gave Kantipur FM 24 hours to explain why its operating license should not be cancelled, but the Supreme Court would later issue a stay order preventing the government from canceling the station's license.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Nepal among the ten worst countries in terms of free press in its annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index.

November, 2005

After hearing arguments from government lawyers and the Attorney General in defense of the media ordinance, Nepal's Supreme Court refused to issue a stay order against the controversial press law.

Following the ruling, the Nepal Bar Association announced that it would boycott all court proceedings and FNJ declared that it would launch nationwide protests. A former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court stated that a stay order should have been issued.

Nepal's Communication Minister urged all citizens in Nepal to abide by the media law.

Radio Sagarmatha went off air and four journalists were taken into custody after police raided the community radio station during the airing of BBC Nepali Service live from London. BBC Nepali Service was carrying an exclusive interview with a Maoist leader, but the station aired music instead of the interview and pushed for a stay order and the return of its transmission equipment.

The Supreme Court allowed Radio Sagarmatha to resume broadcasting nearly 44 hours after the raid, but the Ministry of Information and Communications told the station not to broadcast BBC Nepali Service within hours of learning about the verdict. The Supreme Court later issued an order preventing the government from banning FM radio news programs.

The editor of Bimarsha staged a fast in New Delhi to demand the restoration of democracy and press freedom in Nepal. He continued his fast in Kathmandu until doctors, family members and fellow journalists convinced him to end his fast.

December, 2005

Radio Sagarmatha filed a petition to resume broadcasting BBC Nepali service, and Nepal's Supreme Court issued a stay order preventing the government from placing a ban on the service.

Authorities returned all transmission equipment seized from Radio Sagarmatha on Nov. 27 and later returned transmission equipment seized from Kantipur FM  in an Oct. 21 raid.

A western regional administrator warned the editor of Hetauda Sandesh not to publish material critical of the government, and authorities in the districts of Myagdi, Baglung and Parbat summoned journalists in western Nepal to appear before the Zonal Administration Office. With FNJ's support, journalists defied the order and did not appear in the office.

Maoists freed a UNDP adviser and returned equipment to media personnel after an incident in the eastern district of Taplejung. In statements made in an e-mail interview with the popular weekly, Mulyankan, Maoists declared war against the elections scheduled to take place in early 2006 and ruled out an extension of their unilateral ceasefire.

January, 2006

Authorities suspended mobile telephone services for the second time since the royal takeover. Nepal Telecom post-paid mobile lines were restored in Kathmandu three days after the suspension of services, but Mero mobile phone lines remained out of service.

Independent radio broadcasters spoke out against a proposed broadcasting authority ordinance that would increase FM radio license and renewal fees. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and the Save Independent Radio Movement (SIRM) said the ordinance would violate the rights to press freedom guaranteed in Nepal's constitution.

The government suspended transmission of two Indian news channels in Kathmandu. In a seperate incident, security forces confiscated a video showing soldiers inside the residence of the CPN-UML general secretary shot by Indian news channel Star News. The Royal Nepalese Army denied confiscating any tapes.

In a report, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that it recorded more censorship cases in Nepal than any other country in 2005. The press freedom watchdog recorded six new cases of journalists being harassed in Nepal at the start of 2006.

On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the coup, journalists and human rights activists called for an end to the royal proclamation and the restoration of freedom of expression in Nepal.

February, 2006

Authorities arrested over 24 journalists who participated in a Federation of Nepalese Journalists protest rally marking the one-year anniversary of the royal coup. Amnesty International urged the King to lift restrictions on freedom of expression and restore civil rights on the anniversary of his takeover of the country.

Radio station, Pashimanchal FM, was destroyed during a clash between security forces and Maoist rebels. Home Minister Kamal Thapa accused the opposition seven-party alliance and the media of supporting Maoist activities by not condemning the attack. The Save Independent Radio Movement asked the government to pay compensation for damages to the FM station that was damaged in the gun battle.

Minister for Information and Communciation, Shrish Shumshere Rana, said the government is planning to establish a new media council and introduce the National Broadcasting Authority ordinance to help regulate the media.
 
Nepal Telecom and Spice Nepal restored pre-paid mobile phone services for first time since Jan. 19, but the phone lines of political leaders of the seven-party alliance remained down. Nepal Telecom suspended wireless telephone services before the municipal elections for security reasons.

March, 2006

Members of an international delegation assessing Nepal's press situation met with Maoist leaders and government officials. The delegation then listened to the concerns of Nepali journalists. At the end of the mission, the delegation released a report expressing concerns about increasing threats to the Nepali media.

Nepal's Ministry of Information and Communication allowed the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) to take control of 10 FM radio stations to counter Maoist propaganda on the airwaves. A former RNA brigadier general spoke out against the move, saying that it would be illegal for the military to control FM stations.

RNA officials questioned FNJ about the source of a news report published in Kathmandu Post and Kantipur Daily about the deaths of five Maoists. University professors and human rights activists joined with journalists in a protest for press freedom to mark the 51st anniversary of the founding of the leading media rights organization in Nepal.

April, 2006

The royal government imposed a curfew and cut mobile phone lines in an effort to thwart a planned mass rally against King Gyanendra's direct rule of the country. Authorities refused to issue press passes and assualted journalists defying curfew orders as police and protesters clashed nationwide on the third day of a general strike called by the seven-party alliance. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, calling on him to condemn authorities for arresting journalists participating in pro-democracy protests.

Over 100 protesters were injured when security forces attempted to quell demonstrations on the 11th day of the seven-party alliance's general strike. State-run media maintained silence on the visit of Indian envoy Karan Singh who was expected to deliver an ultimatum to the King. Normal life in Kathmandu came to a halt, as the government refused to issue press passes to media houses and imposed another curfew in an attempt to stop massive pro-democracy rallies against the King.

Following weeks of intense and violent protests, the King issued a Proclamation that returned power to the people. Seven-party alliance leaders and the Federation of Nepalese Journalists questioned the sincerity of the King's pledge to restore democracy and called on people to continue protesting until democracy and press freedoms were fully restored. Giving into pressure from protesters, the King stepped down and announced the restoration of Parliament and websites blocked during the King's rule became accessible again.

May, 2006

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called on Nepal's new Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to respect journalists' rights. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists also urged the new government to repeal all media laws enacted after the Feb. 1 royal takeover. The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) said the Nepali media must continue to fight for complete press freedom.

Prime Minister Koirala met with a SAFMA delegation and vowed to protect the rights of journalists. Nepal's new minister of information and communications also said the government would repeal all media laws enacted during King's rule. FNJ later called for the government to restructure the media sector and implement the Working Journalists Act. The government responded by forming a task force to implement the Working Journalist Act and investigate problems the Nepali media continued to face. The Nepali media continued to face threats from Maoists who had expressed a commitment not to attack journalists.

Nepal's Supreme Court issued a decision that upheld the right of all FM radio stations to broadcast news and declared that seizing licenses of broadcasting media for transmitting news was unconstitutional. A meeting of council of ministers of the new government also annulled three media ordinances enacted during the King's rule, and Nepalnews chat services and discussion boards opened up for the first time since the Feb. 1 takeover.

Date Posted: 6/10/2006

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