Reporters Without Borders reports at least 1,006 censorship cases worldwide in 2005, half of which (567) were from Nepal. “Since the state of emergency declared by King Gyanendra on February 1, 2005, the media have been receiving a battering that is getting harsher. This has included a ban on FM radio stations broadcasting news, blocking of Web sites, seizure of equipment and politically inspired distribution of government advertising,” says the report.

On February 1, 2005, the declaration of direct rule by King Gyanendra was accompanied by military intervention in the life of independent broadcasters. International Press Institute (IPI) reported that on April 30, 2005, international pressure from visits to Indonesia, China and Singapore forced Nepal's King to lift the State of Emergency.

However, “despite the lifting of the State of Emergency,” said IPI, “press freedom has not been restored and the ban on political activities remains in place.”

According to AMARC, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters:

“Private and community broadcasters were instructed to cease all programming, except for music, and soldiers were placed in radio stations, including studios and newsrooms, to operate direct censorship over broadcast content. Over the ensuing months, the protests of broadcasters and listeners, the international outcry and decisions of the Supreme Court have restored broadcasters’ rights to carry news and information but other forms of harassment and intimidation remain.”

AMARC, an international non-governmental organisation of more than 5000 radio broadcasters from 116 countries, spearheaded an appeal to the Nepali government to abide by its international commitments to the right to freedom of expression and to cease all interference in independent broadcasters’ affairs.

Soft censorship hits journalists hard

Broad categories of soft censorship

1.Abuse of public funds and monopolies: abusive allocation of government advertising or subsidies; denial of access to state printing facilities; direct cash payment to reporters for dubious or undeclared services.

2.Abuse of regulatory and inspection powers: manipulation of broadcast licensing processes to benefit political allies or silence others; selective and draining fiscal, labour or other regulatory inspections; government take-over; damages to non-media business owned by media companies through “regulatory” mechanisms.

3.Extra-legal pressures: powerful officials and politicians buying influence or stifling dissent; pressuring private businesses to advertise or not advertise on certain media; direct interference with editorial decision-making, bribery of editors and reporters.

Source: Society Justice Initiative. December 12, 2005. “The Growing Threat of Soft Censorship.” Downloaded from <http://www.justiceinitiative.org/db/ resource2/fs/?file_id=16599http:// www.justiceinitiative.org/db/resource2/ fs/?file_id=16599>.

Like their Nepali colleagues, media people in other countries also face different forms of harassment and intimidation. Justice Initiative released a report in December 2005 showing that more governments the world over are using subtle methods to control media, suppress criticism, and create serious effects akin to violence against journalists.

The Justice Initiative, a programme of the Open Society Institute, documented in "The Growing Threat of Soft Censorship" examples of government use of new methods to silence critics. Governments withdraw advertising, cancel publishing contracts, or put pressure on distributors and printers.

“Compared with more ‘traditional’ methods of beating and detaining journalists or setting fire to media houses, these techniques are more difficult for free expression groups to expose.” The abuses also do not receive the same degree of attention they deserve from civil society, democratic governments and international institutions, says the report.

Statements of support

Regarding the harassment faced by the Nepali press, the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Nepal issued a statement of concern in July 2005. Twelve international organisations, including UN agencies, global media associations, freedom of expression advocates and media development organisations, have also undertaken a fact finding mission to Nepal.

In a statement of support, they expressed concerns about killings, attacks, disappearances, harassment, and displacement of media practitioners, and demanded that all such incidents cease immediately. They noted that media practitioners are protected by international law and that those who violate these must be held accountable.

In expressing their concern for press freedom, the international organisations addressed the Royal Palace and National Government, the Royal Nepal Army and Police, the Communist Party of Nepal, and the national media community.

One recommendation read:

“Clearly state that all direct and indirect forms of censorship on the media must cease, with particular reference to interference in editorial independence, the prejudiced allocation of state advertising, pressure on commercial entities not to advertise with particular media, increases in postage costs for print media, disruption of print media distribution and the threat of non-renewal of broadcast licenses. In addition, the national authorities should not impose ‘coercive measures,’ such as firing particular editors and journalists, on media institutions as a condition to continue to operate.”

Isis International-Manila likewise supports the appeal for full freedom of expression in community radio stations and all independent radio stations in Nepal. Isis Executive Director Raijeli Nicole sent a statement of concern to officials of Nepal, excerpts of which reads:

“We recognise that FM and community radio in Nepal make an invaluable contribution to upholding and promoting democracy, peace, development and good governance, as well as contributing to the eradication of poverty. Community radio stations are important sources of information for women and tools to women's empowerment. Putting a ban on public affairs and news programs results in weakening women's position and civil society as a whole. We view such an act as a clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the basic freedom of expression; and therefore, consider it illegal and unacceptable to put any censorship on any kind of media.”

“In line with the International Mission we urge the Royal Palace and National Government to cease all direct and indirect forms of censorship on the media and to respect the independence of media based on international norms and standards as enshrined in the 1990 Constitution of Nepal 2047 and other legislation.”

Isis also declared its support for the Save the Independent Radio Movement (SIRM) in Nepal in their struggle for full freedom of expression. Through print and electronic publications, Isis aims to inform the international community of the many forms of censorship on independent mass media.

Sources:

AMARC Asia-Pacific. January 30, 2006. “AMARC Calls for an End to All Interference on Independent Broadcasters in Nepal.” Downloaded from <http://wiki.amarc.org/index.php?action=shownews&id=631&lang=EN&style=amarc>.

International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX). January 31, 2006. “Report Highlights Growing Threat of Soft Censorship.” Downloaded from IFEX website, <http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/71956/>.

International Press Institute. “IPI Watch List: Nepal” Downloaded from <http://www.freemedia.at/r_wl_nepal.htm>.

Nicole, Raijeli. 2006. “Appeal for Full Freedom of Expression in Community Radio Stations and all Independent Radio Stations in Nepal.” ISIS International Manila.

Reporters Without Borders. January 8, 2006. “Press Freedom in 2005”by Reporters Without Borders.” Downloaded from <http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/2210.cfm>.

Society Justice Initiative. December 12, 2005. “The Growing Threat of Soft Censorship.” Downloaded from <http://www.justiceinitiative.org/db/resource2/fs/?file_id=16599http://www.justiceinitiative.org/db/resource2/fs/?file_id=16599>.