KATHMANDU, Oct 17 - Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Monday, announced that FNJ, civil society and professional organizations would jointly move the Supreme Court over what it called "black laws" aimed at curbing independent media.
The umbrella forum of professional journalists of Nepal, took the decision to this effect after meeting with representatives from Nepal Bar Association (NBA) at its office today, over the newly introduced Ordinance amending some Nepal Acts Relating to Communications-2005.
"Acting upon suggestions from the NBA, FNJ will file a writ petition against the 'draconian Ordinance' soon. FNJ has also decided to rope in professional organizations and civil society to launch street protests across the country," said Acting FNJ President Shiva Gaunle at the end of the meeting. FNJ has already held primary consultations with various professional bodies in this regard.
The meeting was organized in a bid to collect suggestions from lawyers as it is preparing for a legal battle against the Ordinance.
NBA President Shambhu Thapa, Vice-president Sher Bahadur KC, General Secretary Madhav Banskota spoke on the occasion.
Similarly, former NBA President Harihar Dahal, former law minister Subash Nemwang, senior advocates Radheshyam Adhikari, Shree Hari Aryal and advocates Tika Ram Bhattarai, Indra Lohani and Agni Kharel participated in the meeting with FNJ officials.
"It is not the issue of journalists alone, it is a matter of the right of the Nepali people. So FNJ, civil society and professional organizations should move ahead unitedly," NBA President Thapa said, announcing NBA's participation in the FNJ protests.
Referring to the provision in the Ordinance that denies ownership of print media, radio and television by the same group or individuals, senior advocate Adhikari said the provision has targeted even those media houses that have already got permission as per the earlier media laws. "It is impossible to divest from a media within a year in which millions of rupees may have been invested," Adhikari said.
Meanwhile, reports from Dang district said that Dang-based lawyers, journalists, intellectuals and political parties have stressed on defiance the Ordinance from all sections of society. Similarly, FNJ Dang branch has condemned the Ordinance.
Meanwhile, speaking at Reporters' Club Nepal, senior journalists, Kanak Mani Dixit, Taranath Dahal and Harihar Birahi, among others, unequivocally denounced the Ordinance and said it had been introduced to curtail press freedom.
Dixit said, "The autocratic regime introduce the Ordinance violating constitutional spirit and legal provisions, so journalists and publications houses should disobey it for the sake of public interest."
The senior journalists also said that journalists should immediately take to the streets and protest the Ordinance without waiting for the Supreme Court verdict. Media houses should also defy the provision of the Ordinance.
Puskar Lal Shrestha, editor of Nepal Samacharpatra, asked the government whether it was ready to hand over either of its three media -- TV, radio and print-- to private owners as per the provision in the Ordinance. He further said, "While the government has been imposing financial blockade on the independent media under the pretext of single-door advertisement policy, the new ordinance has now imposed restrictions on people's right to information."
