Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Private radio stations defy Nepal govt ban
Press Trust of India
Kathmandu, June 15, 2005
A dozen private radio stations have defied a ban on airing news imposed by King Gyanendra, despite warnings they would be shut down if they violated the order, campaigners said today.
The broadcasts last night were the first since the ban was introduced after Gyanendra seized absolute control in February, said Ghamraj Luitel of the Save Independent Radio Movement, an alliance of private radio stations fighting the ban.
Luitel said the stations were to meet today to decide whether to continue the broadcasts daily.
The Information Ministry issued a warning to the radio stations yesterday, saying a violation of the government order would result in the station losing its permit or a possible jail term for offenders.
The ministry said the stations have permission to only air programs that are purely entertainment.
King Gyanendra imposed widespread restrictions on the media when he sacked the government on Feb. 1. He argued he seized power to curb rampant corruption and end a communist insurgency.
Police arrested dozens of journalists in the immediate aftermath of the king's power grab, although many have since been released. A number of newspapers have been forced to close because of government censorship.
Journalists in Nepal have been demanding the restoration of press freedoms and an end to harassment and arrests by government troops.
Though a state of emergency was lifted in April, the government continues to enforce restrictions on the media.