International media groups call for press freedom in Nepal
19-07-2005 (Paris)
The Nepalese government and the Communist Party of Nepal, the “Maoists”, should respect press freedom and end all censorship and attacks on journalists immediately, said the representatives of twelve organizations, including UNESCO, who met last week in Nepal with high level government and army officials, civil society representatives and media professionals.
In addition to their discussions in the country’s capital Katmandu and their participation in a national conference with media practitioners on press freedom and press freedom in Katmandu on 15 July, the members of the mission visited Butwal, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar and met there with local media and civil authorities.
In a statement released on Monday, 18 July 2005, the participants of the mission highlight the invaluable contribution that the media in Nepal has made during the past decade in upholding and promoting democracy, peace, development and good governance, but also express grave concern that since 1 February the press freedom and freedom of expression situation in the country has significantly deteriorated, despite the lifting of the state of emergency in April.
The statement includes a series of recommendations addressed to the different actors and aiming at guaranteeing and promoting press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal.
The twelve organizations participating in the mission were: UNESCO, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters - AMARC, ARTICLE 19, Committee to Protect Journalists, International Federation of Journalists, International Media Support, International Press Institute, Press Institute of India, Reporters sans Frontières, South Asian Free Media Association, World Association of Newspapers, and the World Press Freedom Committee
In a statement released on Monday, 18 July 2005, the participants of the mission highlight the invaluable contribution that the media in Nepal has made during the past decade in upholding and promoting democracy, peace, development and good governance, but also express grave concern that since 1 February the press freedom and freedom of expression situation in the country has significantly deteriorated, despite the lifting of the state of emergency in April.
The statement includes a series of recommendations addressed to the different actors and aiming at guaranteeing and promoting press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal.
The twelve organizations participating in the mission were: UNESCO, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters - AMARC, ARTICLE 19, Committee to Protect Journalists, International Federation of Journalists, International Media Support, International Press Institute, Press Institute of India, Reporters sans Frontières, South Asian Free Media Association, World Association of Newspapers, and the World Press Freedom Committee
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2005
· Nepal: News Archive 2005
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