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Journalists protest proposed Broadcasting Authority Ordinance, 20 percent increase in license fees
Nepal News
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Journalists have protested the government's bid to introduce 'Broadcasting Authority Ordinance' saying it is against the rights to press freedom guaranteed by the constitution.
Speaking at an interaction in the capital on Wednesday, they said that the Ordinance will make FM stations impossible to run with the hike in licence fees of up to 20 percent.
Speaking at the programme, President of Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ) Bishnu Nisthuri said, "The Ordinance is being intoroduced at a time when the government has publicly said that the media ordinance was not strong enough to control independent media."
Coordinator of Save Independent Radio Movement (SIRM) Raghu Mainali said that the intention behind the ordinance was to make the FM stations financially weak, thereby stopping their operation.
A few FM radio activists were invited last month to give their nod to the ordinance, but no one has been provided with a copy of the ordinance.
They also condemned the government decision to impose curfew and issue prohibitory orders inside the valley, saying that government was forced to make the "crazy decision" as it was afraid of increasing public pressure.
The FNJ has also urged all the concerned parties to defy the unconstitutional orders of the government and continue their movement for democracy.
Date Posted: 1/19/2006
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