KATHMANDU, Oct 10 - Journalist bodies Monday slammed the government for introducing the press ordinance aimed at imposing restrictions on the media.
King Gyanendra promulgated the new ordinance named "Ordinance amending some Nepal Acts related to Media-2062" on Sunday causing many to fear that the government is tightening its grip on the free press.
"We strongly condemn the government's ill intention to introduce the black ordinance on the eve of the Dashain holidays," the Federation of Nepalese Journalists said in a statement today. The FNJ has announced a tough protest against the decision.
The ordinance issued to amend the Radio Act 2014 BS, the Press and Publication Act 2048, the National Broadcasting Act 2049 and the Defamation Act 2016 was endorsed by the cabinet five months ago, but was put on hold due to strong protests from media rights groups.
The ordinance, according to government sources, has upped the fine amount to publishers and editors by up to 10 times and imposed a ban on publishing materials "deemed helpful to terrorists". It has also prohibited FM radio stations from broadcasting political news despite a recent Supreme Court order restraining the government from banning news broadcast through FM stations.
It also contains new provisions to prohibit "criticisms and disrespect" to the king and members of the royal family, as opposed to only the king previously.
The ordinance has toughened the provision to penalize the editor and/or publisher for defamation. Instead of the previous fine of Rs 10,000, they can now be fined up to Rs 100,000. Similarly, anyone publishing, translating and importing banned items will now face a fine of up to Rs 500,000 as against the previous fine of up to Rs 50,000.
"In the name of amending some Nepal Acts related to media, the present government, which has been continuously attacking the media sector, has dealt a ruthless blow to the free press in Nepal by introducing the black ordinance," the FNJ said today.
Separately, a press statement issued by the Save Independent Radio Movement has appealed to all radio journalists to defy the government decision and carry on with the airing of news programmes.
"The ordinance has made a mockery of the rule of law as it is against the rights guaranteed by the constitution," the statement added.
