Nepal journalists rediscover life under fire

BY Sanjaya dhakal| IN Media Freedom | 10/09/2003

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  Sanjaya Dhakal, OneWorld South Asia

 KATHMANDU, Oct 9 (OneWorld) - Since the August 27 collapse of the ceasefire  in Nepal, two journalists were killed and at least 48 targeted by the government  and Maoist rebels, both competing with each other to intimidate the media.

 According to the Federation of Nepalese journalists (FNJ), since the ceasefire breakdown, 41 journalists were detained, three were missing, two abducted and cases lodged against two others during the period.

The chairman of the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES), Krishna Pahadi,  says that from the third week of October, rights bodies will initiate a movement against the violation of human rights and torture of journalists.

"The movement against violence will be internationalized to draw the international

community`s attention," he declares. It`s a virtual replay - only more macabre - of the state of emergency between November 2001 and August 2002 during which at least three journalists were killed and more than 150 detained.

Post-ceasefire, the intensification of insurgency and the increase in the number of clashes between the two sides has alarmed the media. Media people based in areas outside Kathmandu - which has a modicum of protection being the national capital - are particularly vulnerable.

"Journalists working in places away from the capital Kathmandu are feeling the heat. They regularly face threats, intimidation and even violence. Free and fair reporting is getting hindered," says FNJ president Taranath Dahal, who is also the editor of a vernacular weekly `Bimarsha`.

A major fallout of such terror, say observers, is that journalists are engaging in self-censorship. Editor of the vernacular national fortnightly magazine Himal  Khabarpatrika, Rajendra Dahal points out that although there are no direct threats to journalists within the Kathmandu valley, those outside live in constant fear.

The casualty is balanced reporting. As he elaborates, "It`s not just self-censorship. Journalists in those areas are even dictated by whoever  wields the gun. The rebels, particularly, have stepped up atrocities  against the media."

Agrees vice-president of the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), a nongovernmental organization (NGO) monitoring press freedom in the country, Khadga Sen Oli, "After the breakdown of the ceasefire, atrocities against the press have increased sharply."

A local reporter of the state-owned National News Agency, Gyanendra  Khadka, was

hacked to death on August 27 by Maoists in the eastern Sindhupalchowk district. In a

ghastly incident, the Maoists slit his throat after tying him to a post in front of the villagers

and students of the local school where he used to teach. They later slapped nine charges against him, including spying, raping  schoolgirls and reporting false news about the

Maoists. But the FNJ`s Sindhupalchowk branch denies the charges, calling them "baseless."

Again, on September 27, Binod Sajana Chaudhary, a reporter of the pro-Maoist Janadesh weekly and local Nepalgunj Express was shot dead by security forces in the western Kailali district. The security forces claim he was killed in a clash with the Maoists.

On October 6, the World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum, which represents 18,000 publications in 100 countries, wrote a letter to the Nepalese premier, Surya Bahadur Thapa, urging him to create an environment in which journalists are able to work

unhindered.

A reporter of the Jana Aastha weekly, Sita Ram Baral, who was arrested by security forces, says he was maltreated in custody. Rights bodies say half a dozen journalists still remain in government custody. According to FNJ, the Maoists have warned journalists of the remote

Myagdi and Dhading districts not to disseminate news against them. Based on his reporting, Maoist cadres threatened local reporter and  rights activist Keshav Adhikary of Dhading district with death a few weeks ago.

FNJ president (of the western Arghakhanchi district branch) Bishnu Bhusal, recently released a statement denouncing the Maoists for intimidating and threatening journalists here. Resham Birahi of Banke district was similarly warned of dire consequences if he wrote against them.

In a statement released later, Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai, said Khadka was not killed for being a reporter, but because he was engaged in other activities detrimental to the Maoist`s "people`s war."

The government, too, puts forth similar reasons for arresting journalists. The spokesperson of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), Colonel Deepak Gurung, says journalists were not arrested for being reporters. "This is purely a security and intelligence matter," he says.

At a Nepal Press Council meeting on September 24, the Prime Minister said the government would not do anything to curb press freedom. "The government will never go against press freedom," he said, while urging the press not to publish news stories that hampered the morale of security personnel battling to maintain law and order in the country.

Information and Communication Minister Kamal Thapa says the government will not take action against any journalist on the basis of news published. But, he added ominously, the government will not spare anyone involved in violent activities in the name of the press.

But neither FNJ president Taranath Dahal nor editor Rajendra Dahal are willing to buy such arguments - neither from the government nor the press. "These are mere excuses. For instance, the Maoists do not label any  charge against journalists before they take such action. It is only after they carry out atrocities that they come up with such excuses to

counter public pressure," maintains Rajendra Dahal.