January 2, 2005
RUKUM: Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) militants assaulted Netra K.C. of the BBC Nepali Service, and French journalist Vincent S. Prado, in Syalapakha of Rukum district and confiscated their belongings. The militants threatened to kill the journalists and stopped them from gathering information even after seeing their press cards.
Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES)

January 2, 2005
ILAM: Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) militants banned the journalists and human rights activists' entry in their stronghold areas in Ilam district without permission. The militants warned journalists and human rights activists of detention if they violated the ban.

Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) condemned the CPN-Maoists' actions against journalists and human rights workers and urged the militants to stop such attacks. The organisation asked the militant leaders to ensure freedom of movement and an environment conducive to free and fair news reporting in their stronghold areas.
CEHURDES, Nepal Samacharpatra

January 2, 2005
DAILEKH: A policeman attacked Bhupendra Sahi of the state-owned daily "Gorkhapatra" when he was taking photographs of a location where Maoist militants killed local ruling party official, Dil Bahadur Rana. The policeman accused Sahi and Naman Kumar Sahi, local representative of 'Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), a human rights group, of defending the Maoists.
Reporters sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders--RSF)

January 2, 2005
NEPALGUNJ: Police roughed up Roshan Puri, a reporter of Lumbini FM station, in the southwestern town of Nepalgunj while he was preparing a report. The police promised a probe into the matter.
Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF)

Plainclothes security officials abducted Parajuli from his home in New Baneswor, Kathmandu district, blindfolded him and took him away in a car. Pun, a provincial correspondent for the national daily "Rajdhani", was being held by the Royal Nepalese Army at their barracks in Pyuthan (the central western Nepal). He was kidnapped by a group of Maoist militants on November 18, 2004, in Rukum. The army rescued him in December, but kept him in detention for "interrogation".

The security forces released Sita Ram Parajuli on January 9 after detaining him for 13 days at an undisclosed military detention centre. He said that after two days he was shifted to another location and warned not to disclose details of his detention and interrogation. Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) welcomed Parajuli's release and urged the security forces to release all detained journalists.
Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF), Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES)

January 9, 2005
KATHMANDU: Unknown assailants vandalised offices of the weekly "Hindu" in Anam Nagar, Kathmandu, and took away a computer and a printer.
Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES)

January 11, 2005
RAJBIRAJ: A group of upper caste people including Chaudhary, Yadav and Shah, injured a group of journalists when they went to cover the entry of Dalits into a local temple at Kanakpur in Saptari district following a ban on their prayer there. The group also abused a local correspondent of Kantipur daily, a representative of the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) year book Prakash Khatiwada and The Himalayan Times reporter and district vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Jitendra Khadka.

The upper caste people manhandled the Dalits when they tried to enter into the temple with the help of the Chetana Dalit Sangam, a local NGO working for the Dalits. Afterwards, security forces arrested Om Bahadur Khadka, Indra Narayan Chaudhary, Dorik Lal Shah, Soman Yadav, Bindeshwor Chaudhary, Bodhi Chaudhary, Kishun Shah, Shanti Devi Chaudhary and Hariya Devi Chaudhary.
Himalayan Times

RSF, a world press freedom organisation, condemned the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) on January 28 for torturing Giri in "secret and illegal" detention. RSF, in a statement sent to then prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, informed about the modes of torture on Giri like electric shocks and spray with freezing water, and demanded the government to punish the security forces involved in torturing the journalists.
The Kathmandu Post, Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF)

January 23, 2005
KATHMANDU: President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Taranath Dahal, said democracy was a precondition for free press in the country. Addressing a launch function of the radio programme production training for the students of Nagarjuna International College at Lalitpur, Dahal declared the progress in advertisement market crucial for the healthy growth of media where market was static at around two billion rupees for the last eight years despite increase in the media outlets. Sriram Singh Basnet, founder of the Media Point--a media training instituteraised a question regarding the code of ethics for media while acknowledging the physical growth of Nepalese media.
Nepalnews

January 28, 2005
KATHMANDU: Media experts in a workshop organised on the theme of "Peace Education for Young Journalists and Advocacy Actors" discussed the media's priorities in event coverage and its ignorance towards the situation of victims in the conflict. Joergen Klussmann, a German journalist and expert on peace education, highlighted the role of journalists in a conflict situation through responsible and impartial reporting for peace and emphasised on giving priority to the victims generally ignored in conflict reporting. Senior journalists P. Kharel and Shobha Gautam also acknowledged the role of media in peace building
Nepalnews

February 1, 2005
KAVRE: Rajkumar Parajuli, a local correspondent of The Himalayan Times (THT) and a member of the Kavre unit of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), was attacked by the sons of Madhav Adhikari, central president of the Nepal Teachers' Union (NTU).

They manhandled him for writing a report in THT on a speech delivered by Adhikari during the NTO's district convention on September 12, 2004. FNJ president Taranath Dahal asked the authorities to act against the culprits.
The Himalayan Times

Emergency Proclaimed in Nepal
February 1, 2005
KATHMANDU: King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah on February 1 sacked the government of prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in Nepal, imposed a state of emergency, dissolved the parliament, suspended all fundamental rights and censored all media outlets.

The country was disconnected from the outside world after cutting off the phone lines, internet, and domestic and international flights. Following the emergency, the king curtailed basic freedoms, including freedom of the press, the constitutional protection against censorship, and the right against preventive detention.

The fundamental rights of Nepalese citizens including Article 11, Right to Equality; Article 12, Right to Freedom; Article 13, Press and Publication Right; Article 14, Right Regarding Criminal Justice; Article 15, Right against Preventive Detention; Article 16, Right to Information; Article 17, Right to Property; Article 18, Cultural and Educational Right; Article 19, Right to Religion; Article 20, Right against Exploitation; Article 21, Right against Exile; Article 22, Right to Privacy; and Article 23, Right to Constitutional Remedy were suspended.

Soldiers swooped down on newspapers and broadcast newsrooms. Direct censorship imposed on media forced the journalists to publish bland news and publish their opinion in puns and metaphors.

February 2, 2005
KATHMANDU: King Gyanendra's decision to dismiss the Deuba government on February 1 and impose state of emergency in the country meant a clampdown on a number of informative websites, with little news trickling out of the country because the phones were cut off as well. Newspapers carried news dictated by the King, who imposed a virtual news blackout across the state. Indian newspaper, The Hindu, reported that the country suspended a number of elements of the Nepalese constitution, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
The Inquirer

February 2, 2005
NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern over the safety of Nepalese journalists and the censorship of the press following King Gyanendra's dismissal of Nepal's multi-party government. CPJ Executive Director, Ann Cooper, called suspension of civil liberties "a worrisome sign" for all citizens, including journalists. CPJ, in a statement, said the king had curtailed basic freedoms, including freedom of the press, the constitutional protection against censorship, and the right against preventive detention. Internet and phone lines had been cut, and Nepal's news websites were out of service. BBC reported that the King's censorship of the media was evident in the bland coverage produced by Nepal's outspoken newspapers and the news of prime minister's dismissal was reported without critical editorial comments. The king's takeover gave additional powers to the security forces. Before the coup, journalists were already at risk of preventive detention and abuse by security forces. The statement recalled the last state of emergency imposed from November 2001 to August 2002 when more than 100 journalists were detained by security forces.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

February 2, 2005
KATHMANDU: Netra KC, a stringer for BBC, Nepalgunj, "disappeared" after BBC Radio's World Service broadcast an interview with Maoist leader, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, from an undisclosed location. The rebel leader accused the king of closing all doors of negotiations with his move. The BBC anchor mentioned Netra KC as its Nepal stringer, along with mentioning that telephone lines were disconnected in Nepal and KC was nipping across the border into India to make calls. Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) reported that he was arrested and interrogated for four hours, but released the same day.
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 3, 2005
KATMANDU: King Gyanendra placed a six-month ban on media reports critical of the state of emergency. Nepalese public could not even receive any news of a three-day general strike called by Maoist militants, BBC reported. The United States, Britain and numerous rights groups criticised the king's moves.
New Kerala

February 4, 2005
NEW YORK: Security forces arrested Khagendra Sangraula, a prominent social critic and columnist of Kantipur daily, and held him at the armed police headquarters at Halchowk. Security forces were also seeking to arrest Tara Nath Dahal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) who issued a statement condemning the king's actions and loss of press freedom.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)'s Executive Director, Ann Cooper, expressed concern for the safety of Khagendra Sangraula and Tara Nath Dahal, and declared citizens and journalists extremely vulnerable to human rights abuses at the hands of army and Maoists. A source in Nepal told CPJ that security forces were also in search of arresting Sambhu Shrestha, editor of Dristi weekly. State radio announced on February 3 that private radio stations could broadcast entertainment programmes only. With the blackout on media outside Kathmandu, several newspapers had stopped their publication, including Mechi Kali, Daily Lumbini, Jana Sangharsa and Naya Disha.

A local journalist told the Associated Press that media blackout had cut off all news from villages and media ban in Pokhara could not let the people know about the firing of soldiers on students. Across the country, internet and phone lines, including mobile phones and domestic landlines, remained down.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Representatives at the meeting extended their solidarity to Nepalese journalist and called upon the King to immediately restore multiparty democracy and basic civil rights. As a mark of protest against the highhanded actions of the King, the representatives said they would wear black badges and organize nation-wide protest against the crackdown on the media and assault on press freedom and other fundamental rights in Nepal.
International Federation of Journalists

February 4, 2005
KATHMANDU: Security forces arrested Bishnu Nisthuri, FNJ general secretary, from his residence in Anamnagar. Bowing to the national and international press pressure, the security forces released Mr. Nisthuri on February 25.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 5, 2005
KATMANDU: Newspapers published editorials about the sunny winter weather, a rat that ran up a cook's trousers, and an article on the dangers faced by the country's river dolphins, mentioning little of the royal seizure of power. Soldiers quickly swooped down on newspaper and broadcast newsrooms where they checked every report before it goes to press or on air. Armoured military vehicles were parked in front of the offices of many media outlets to monitor their activities.

After two days when soldiers were back to their barracks, newspapers could only criticise in form of humour and metaphors. Newspapers could not disseminate any news, because the soldiers scrutinised all articles to censor remarks objectionable to the king, said an editor of a Nepali-language newspaper requesting anonymity.

Warning readers in the changed situation, many newspapers prominently printed the censorship decree of the government, which overtly declared a crackdown on Maoists, but it was "crack down only on the press", said an editor on the condition of anonymity.

A small graphic in a weekly Nepali Times showed the front pages of a number of foreign newspapers with the headlines: "Trouble on the Roof of the World" and "King sacks govt: Nepal cut off." A newspaper published an editorial about trees being cut off, a clear metaphor for a muzzled press, which concluded with a question: "Can we ask the concerned authority to promptly correct the move and bring back greenery?" In an effort to avoid arbitrary imprisonment and torture after criticising the government openly, some media outlets chose to run bland news pages while others published opinions in puns and metaphors.
Seattlepi.com

Brig. Gen. Dipak K. Gurung, a spokesman for the Royal Nepal Army, said the soldiers had been pulled back from newspaper offices after the editors' assurance of self-censorship. One editor said the assurance followed a threat by the king's press secretary to mislay them if they would not cooperate. General Gurung categorically asked the editors to stop the publication and broadcasting of Maoists announcements and propaganda, and reports sapping the army's morale. Referring to the news media, which to him was getting out of control in the name of democracy and freedom, General Gurung said editors should not be afraid in case of cooperation.
New York Times

February 6, 2005
KATHMANDU: Tara Nath Dahal, president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) was arrested following the state of emergency declared on February 1. He was trying to enter the UN offices to seek asylum. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called upon the international community to support Nepalese journalists.
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

February 7, 2005
KATHMANDU: During the reports, of his arrest, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) president, Tara Nath Dahal, said he evaded security forces and was in hiding. In a letter to the president of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Dahal called the situation in Nepal critical and asked for more pressure from the outside world. He said in a statement that army had been standing outside his house and the FNJ office since February 3 and harassing and threatening his family. Analysing the media situation, he said that all media houses were closed and almost 30,000 media employees had lost their jobs. Condemning the king's effort to censor media and arrest of those who refused to accept the coup, IFJ president, Christopher Warren, said "the crisis in Nepal is continuing to deepen."
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

February 7, 2005
KATHMANDU: The royal palace press secretariat issued decrees against press freedom and civil rights. One decree to security officers to monitor electronic media including radio, fax, telephone, television and email, and prohibited any publicity they deem unfit. Another order authorised local administrators to withhold the citizens' movable and immovable property after paying compensation. Permission from the Regional Administrator or Chief District Officer or a designated officer was made necessary for holding conferences, workshops, meetings and interaction programmes without undermining the kingdom's sovereignty and integrity. The order disallowed any direct or indirect comment on the security forces, which could harm their morale.
The Rising Nepa

February 7, 2005
KATHMANDU: The security forces seized the press of four newspapers Rashtriya Samata, Punarjagaran, Tajakhabar, and Ruperkha following the royal move.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 8, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu District Court fined Kamana publication and Pushkarlal Shrestha, the publisher of Nepal Samacharpatra daily, Rs 6,000 for defaming then chief of Bagmati and Narayani Zonal Public Service Inspection and Monitoring Team, Bharat Jangam. The court ordered the publisher to pay Rs 5,000 as a compensation to Jangam and Rs 1,000 as fine.
The Himalayan Times

February 8, 2005
DHARAN: The security forces confiscated "Blast", a vernacular daily tabloid; after it refused to publish the content censored by security forces.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 8, 2005
LAHORE: South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) demanded release of journalists, lifting of curbs on press freedom, and restoration of all communication links in Nepal. Taking serious note of the blanket censorship, Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General of SAFMA, called upon the journalists, human rights organisations and all democratic forces to protest against the crackdown on the press. Condemning the suspension of fundamental rights following the royal move, Mr. Alam asked the SAFMA national chapters in South Asia to raise their voice in solidarity with their Nepalese colleagues and hand over protest letters to the ambassador of Nepal in each country.
South Asian Free Media Foundation (SAFMA)

February 9, 2005
DHANKUTA: The district administration office permitted newspapers to restart publication, which was suspended after the declaration of emergency in Nepal. Addressing an interaction, Sambhu Prasad Ghimire, the Chief District Officer of Dhankuta, urged journalists to favour restoring peace and discourage terrorism in news.
The Himalayan Times

February 9, 2005
KATHMANDU: As many as 1,000 radio journalists went jobless after the government on February 2 directed all FM radio stations not to broadcast news bulletins restricting their programmes to entertainment only. Fifty-six stations had acquired broadcasting licenses and 41 were in operation among them. Though King Gyanendra in the proclamation stated "an independent press serves as medium for raising the level of democratic consciousness".

All FM stationsbarring Hits FM (Kathmandu), FM Adhyatma Jyoti (Kathmandu) and a few othershad been giving top priority to news broadcasts. Ghamaraj Luitel, general secretary of the 'Forum of FM Broadcasters', said each news broadcasting FM station had an independent news department with five to 16 news personnel. A significant number of FM stations had also appointed correspondents in districts around 90 correspondents were working for Kantipur FM only in other districts. Around 500 persons working in FM newsrooms, coupled with some 500 working in the districts, were directly affected by the government decision. Bishwa Shankar Palikhe, president of Annapurna FM (Pokhara), said FM stations were left with no other option, but to lay off workers. Communication Corner (Lalitpur), an FM station providing news programmes to 11 FM stations across the country halted all its programmes following the government orders.
Kantipur Online

February 9, 2005
RUPANDEHI: Except for Daily Lumbini, local dailies-- Jana Sangharsha, Mechi Kali Sandesh, Bhawana and Butwal Today-- resumed publication after a few days suspension. Following an agreement between security officers and journalists, no article against the spirit of the royal proclamation would be published.
The Himalayan Times

February 9, 2005
KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in a press statement signed by its president, Tara Nath Dahal who was in hiding, slammed the government for not acting for press freedom despite protests and pressures from national and international organisations.

Raising voice for the release of FNJ general secretary, Bishnu Nishthuri, the FNJ called the situation tyrannical, Mr. Dahal referred to the surveillance of security intelligence at FNJ head office, especially targeting its office-bearers. Deploring the state's attempt to stifle press freedom through harassing and intimidating journalists, Mr. Dahal appealed all journalists to report such incidents to the FNJ.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 10, 2005
KATHMANDU: The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) expressed serious concern over the status of community radios in Nepal following the February 1 political change. The AMARC appealed to the government of Nepal to remove ban on community radios to broadcast news and current affairs programmes.
The Himalayan Times

February 11, 2005
SURKHET: Three dailies and four weeklies published from Surkhet resumed their publication after an agreement between local administration and representatives of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).

Chief District Officer Tilak Ram Sharma denied imposing of any censorship imposed on the papers, but said, the local administration wanted to see the papers before they went to the press to censor any news against the spirit of royal proclamation. Meanwhile, a report from Gulmi said that four weeklies--Naya Janmat, Sajha Bichar, Gulmi Times and Resunga Shikhar Sandeshwere yet to resume publication because the local administration had not permitted them.
The Kathmandu Post

The petition rejected any ground to arrest Nisthuri, who is a journalist and fights for democracy, press freedom and rule of law. The petitioner also requested Supreme Court to order authorities to produce Nisthuri before the court. The petitioner claimed of violating his fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 11, 12(1), and 14(4)(5)(6) and detaining him without a detention notice.

Responding to a habeas corpus petition, the Supreme Court on February 15 ordered the government authorities to submit written explanations within three days why Nisthuri was kept in detention. Senior advocate Bishow Kanta Mainali, Sher Bahadur KC, Tika Ram Bhattarai, Ishwori Bhattarai and Shanta Sedain sought the apex court order for Nisthuri's release saying there was no ground to detain him.
The Himalayan Times

February 12, 2005
KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) central executive committee raised a few points in favour of press freedom and against censorship and suspension of fundamental rights. The FNJ warned of agitation if government did not pay attention to these issues. It demanded an end to the army deployment, censorship and interference. It sought release of all detained journalists including FNJ general secretary Bishnu Nishthuri ending vigilance on them. FNJ asked revoking prohibition on the publication and sale of newspapers, especially outside the Kathmandu and the restrictions on news and news-based programmes of FM radio stations. The FNJ also demanded for the restoration of all communication links, including mobile phones.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 13, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) appealed to the world media to create public opinion against press censorship in Nepal. The FNJ expressed concern over the fate of more than 1,000 journalists laid off since King Gyanendra sacked the Sher Bahadur Deuba government on February 1. The appeal pushed the world media to express that media censorship would be detrimental to setting up a democratic government, promised by the monarchy. Citing the arrest of two journalists from Daang, the appeal said that king's officials were violating human rights even after the king's assurance that human rights were to be observed in all circumstances.
New Kerala

February 13, 2005
CHITWAN: Security personnel arrested Narayan Adhikari working for Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) and Basanta Parajuli associated with Gorkhapatra Daily for 'necessary interrogation'. They were released on March 1.
The Kathmandu Post, Federation of Nepalese Journalists

February 13, 2005
KATHMANDU: Senior journalists and representatives from various FM radio stations including state-run radio Nepal urged the government to ensure their right to broadcast news and informative programmes. Speaking at a function organised by Reporters' Club Nepal, Tapanath Sukla, executive director of Radio Nepal, said the government lacked of proper policies on providing license to FM radios and devalued any reason for banning news and informative programmes.

Former president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Suresh Acharya, said the government banning news on FM and seeking media cooperation simultaneously was contradictory. Prabhat Rimal of Kantipur FM said FM radios were abiding by the regulations, but the government failed to effectively monitor them resulting into over 1200 to 1500 journalists facing layoffs. Estimating the financial loss due to the government decision, Gopal Guragain of Communication Corner, said that more than Rs 30 million investment in private FM radios was in a jeopardy.
The Kathmandu Post

February 14, 2005
SINDHULI: Weekly Prakash was ordered closed by security forces. Navaraj Timalsina, its editor, said the security officials ordered stopping of the publication when the newspaper was ready to go for printing. The Chief District Officer in Sindhuli issued an order against the Singuli Times, Sindhul, and Janaprabhat weeklies to stop publishing until further orders.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 15, 2005
KAVERE: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Kavere branch, east of Kathmandu, said no weekly or daily could be published following the February 1 royal move. In a statement, the branch president said the journalists were compelled to migrate to other places due to job uncertainty.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 15, 2005
KATHMANDU: The security forces arrested D R Panta, a correspondent of Kantipur Daily, Dadeldhura branch.
Kantipur Online

February 16, 2005
KATHAMNDU: Security forces detained Khem Bhandari, editor of Abhiyan daily, published from Mahendranagar. They rounded up Bhandari from the western town for publishing reports on political parties' protest rallies. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) said he was released later.
Kantipur Online, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 16, 2005
KATHAMNDU: Christopher Warren, the president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), assured the Nepalese press of international solidarity and support. Warren, who was on a fact-finding-mission, met with Nepalese journalists and expressed the concern of international press over the hardships the Nepalese press was facing. Calling this tough time challenging, he urged the press to be responsible.
Kantipur Online

February 16, 2005
KATHMANDU: Security forces arrested Sujb Bajarachrya working with Sandhakalin City Times. He was released on February 21.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 16, 2005
SAPTRI: Shivahari Bhattarai, editor of Suchana Weekly, reportedly faced pressure to close the weekly.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 16, 2005
NEW YORK: The Nepalese army was preventing local journalists and rights activists from publicising abuses by the military or criticising any government action. Brad Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said the army's clampdown on Nepalese media was more than a matter of free speech. Journalists and human rights activists in Pokhara, about 150 kilometers west of Kathmandu, said that they could not report on the army's crackdown on students at the Prithwi Narayan University campus on February 1. In this attack, one student was shot in the leg and 58 were detained and beaten while in custody. HRW called upon the king to immediately lift these restrictions on the media, and return the military to civilian control."
Human Rights Watch

February 18, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) expressed concern over the state of media following the recent political change. The UN Information Centre issued a press statement in Kathmandu, in which director general Koichiro Matsura described the move a "serious setback".

The statement said that press freedom like other fundamental freedoms, is indispensable for a properly functioning society and declared the survival of Nepal difficult in the absence of fundamental rights, democracy and the multi-party system. New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in a letter to the Nepalese ambassador in Washington, voiced concern over curtailment of freedom of press in Nepal. CPJ urged the Nepalese government to restore press freedom immediately.
The Himalayan Times

February 19, 2005
KATHAMNDU: President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Taranath Dahal, accused the State of either blacking out information or using media as its propaganda tool. In a statement issued on the Democracy Day he flayed the government for ignoring international appeals and expressed concern over the detention of a number of journalists, including FNJ general secretary Bishnu Nishthuri, publisher and editor of Sandhyakalin City Times Sujiv Bajracharya, and other reporters affiliated with state-owned Gorkhapatra daily and Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS). Basanta Parajuli of Gorkhapatra and RSS representative, both from Chitwan, were sentenced for three months without any reason.
The Himalayan Times

February 20, 2005
KATHMANDU: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Christopher Warren, at the end of a fact-finding-mission concluded that the incumbent regime was involved in "unacceptable repression of journalists' right to freedom of expression and freedom of association." Demanding immediate release of five detained journalists, Warren debunked the army's claim of not arresting journalists "other than for political activity".

The journalists now believed to be in detention were Narayan Adhikari, Basanta Parajuli, DR Panta, Khem Bhandari and Sujeev Bajracharya. While Adhikari, Parajuli, Panta were reporters of the RSS, Gorkhapatra and Kantipur, based in Chitwan and Dadeldhura, Bhandari and Bajracharya were editors of Abhiyan, published from Mahendranagar, and Sandhyakalin, and Kathmandu respectively. The mission also identified instances of "extreme measures of censorship, army censors, closure of FM radio news broadcasts and random arrest of journalists as violation of the right to information. Warren flayed the idea of setting up a Media Commission as something which could cause long-term damage.

Discussing the security concern after the widespread closure of many areas of Nepal, Warren said that half the newspapers, which used to hit the stands prior to the royal move, had ceased to do so. Expressing concern about the job losses in media, Warren said the remaining newspapers were forced to face reduction in sizes and financial crisis to cease their survival. Warren called the international community to cut military assistance to Nepal.
The Himalayan Times

February 21, 2005
KATHMANDU: Security forces arrested Anil Tiwari, editor of Ankush daily, Parsa, from his office. Eyewitnesses said the security forces took him away for what they called interrogation. He was released the same day.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 21, 2005
KATHMANDU: Protesting against the curb on press freedom, Weekly Sangue left its editorial space blank, saying that they had been deprived of freedom. Kavir Rana of Deshantar and Rajendra Vaid of Bimarsh were interrogated.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 21, 2005
KATHMANDU: Soldiers held Swaagat Nepal in detention, a reporter and columnist for the daily "Nepal Samacharpatra", for more than 14 hours. Plainclothes soldiers forced the journalist into a jeep where he was interrogated the whole night. The soldiers questioned him about his links with Maoist publications, such as "Janadesh". He was released on February 22. Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) on February 25 denounced the mistreatment.
Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF)

February 22, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) urged the Nepal government to withdraw the prohibitions and allow freedom of expression. It also requested the international community and donors to freeze aid to Nepal and "ties with the RNA and other security bodies."
The Himalayan Times

February 22, 2005
PARSA: Dependra Chauhan, publisher of Ankush daily, was threatened over publishing a cartoon and ”other news".
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 22, 2005
KATHMANDU: Indian Ambassador Shiv Shanker Mukherjee asked Nepal to lift all curbs on press immediately, emphasising on an end to blocking Indian news channels and Nepal One, Delhi-based Nepali language channel, Indian news agency PTI quoted. Expressing grave concern over discriminately targeting Indian joint venture establishments, including the UTL (Wireless Telephone Service), Ambassador said Nepal should avoid doing so.
Kantipur Online

February 22, 2005
KATHMANDU: Army personnel arrested Arjun Prasad Shah, editor of Batabaran Weekly, from Saptari district. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) on March 3 demanded the release of Arjun Prasad Shah.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Asia Pacific Media Network

February 22, 2005
KATHMANDU: Army personnel arrested Monohar Pokharel, editor of Jana Aakrosh and detained him in Saptari district. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) on March 3 demanded his immediate release in a press statement.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 24, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Baman Prasad Neupane, summoned the editors and publishers of five vernacular weeklies to inquire about the blank spaces they had left on some pages of their publications.

Neupane had written to the Crime Investigation Branch of the District Police Office, Hanumandhoka, and four other ward police stations to ensure that Kabir Rana, editor and publisher of Deshantar Weekly; Rajendra Baidhya, editor and publisher of Bimarsha Weekly; Gopal Budhathoki, editor of Sanghu Weekly; Navaraj Timilsina, executive editor of Prakash Weekly and Shashidhar Bhandari, executive editor of Hank Weekly at his office on February 17.
The Himalayan Times

February 25, 2005
KOHOLPUR: Around 700 Maoists vandalised Nepal Television's regional programme production and broadcasting centre, inflicting damage of around Rs 70 million and set fire to the station before fleeing. NTV regional station head Man Bahadur Ghale said they kept on carting off machines from the centre for about two hours after cutting the telephone line. The centre was producing and broadcasting programmes of one-and-a-half hour duration between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily.
The Himalayan Times

February 26, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The Kathmandu District Administration Office released nine detainees, including two ministers in the former Sher Bahadur Deuba government, in the presence of the Kathmandu District Court judge. Most of them had been taken into preventive detention or placed under house arrest immediately after the royal takeover under the Peace and Security Act.

Those released were former ministers Homnath Dahal of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and Astha Laxmi Shakya of the CPN-UML, Prof Lokraj Baral, UML leader Pradip Nepal, general secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Bishnu Nisthuri, former president of University Teachers' Association Khagendra Bhattarai, former lawmaker from the Nepali Congress, Shiva Basnet, NC leader Nona Koirala, and CPN-ML general secretary C P Mainali.
Nepalnews

February 26, 2005
KATHMANDU: Army personnel arrested Narayan Shah working with Drishti Weekly, Rukum. He was released after three-hour detention.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

February 27, 2005
KATHMANDU: The District Administration Office (DAO) of Banke directed local journalists not to report activities of political parties. The DAO banned the media from publishing any report of foreign news agencies about Nepali politics and insurgency in Nepal and India. According to the directive, any loss caused by Maoists to the citizens could be reported, but the one to the government could not be. The directive said security forces would verify the Maoists activities before being reported.
The Kathmandu Post

February 28, 2005
KATHMANDU: Various professional organisations in a joint statement demanded an immediate release of professors, journalists and human rights activists who had been detained 'illegally'.
The Himalayan Times

March 1, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The government prohibited the media from disseminating any information or publishing security news without security forces permission. The Ministry of Communication and Information in a press communiqué said any news, interview, information, article and opinion supporting terrorism and subverting activities would be liable to punishment under Press and Publication Act-2048 BS and National Broadcasting Act-2049 BS. In the meanwhile, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Bavan Prasad Neupane, asked editors to comply with the government directives while covering security matters.
Kantipur Online

March 2, 2005
NEW YORK: The government directed editors of four weeklies to replace the word "Maoist" with "terrorist" or face punishment. The weeklies, including Jana Astha, were forced to change large portions of their text to comply with the order. The Ministry of Information and Communication also issued a new notice banning media from publishing or broadcasting news related to the Maoist insurgency that was not from security sources. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Executive Director, Ann Cooper, expressed concern over the government continuous throttling of independent press, which exposed the journalists and citizens to more risks.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

March 3, 2005
KATHMANDU: Six professional organisations in Nepal decided to take coordinated initiatives to ensure peace and democracy. In a meeting, Nepal Bar Association, Nepal Engineers Association, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Nepal Medical Association, and Nepal University Teachers Association, resolved to consolidate their activities.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

March 3, 2005
KATHMANDU: The International Press Institute (IPI)--a global network of editors, media executives and journalists--urged the Nepal government to revoke legal restrictions aimed at controlling the practice of journalism and obstructing the principle of the right to "seek, receive and impart information, regardless of frontiers". The IPI, in a letter to the Minister of Information and Communication, Tanka Dhakal, called any restriction a breach of the right to freedom of expression and press freedom protected by Articles 12 and 13 of Nepal's Constitution, which must be resisted. Warning of the serious impact on the financial security of FM stations, IPI voiced concern over the ban on broadcasting news by these stations.
The Himalayan Times

March 3, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Information and Communication suspended giving advertisements under the Lok Kalyankari Kosh (Public Welfare Fund) to all newspapers, and the disbursement of promised money of 3 million to the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) for the welfare of conflict-hit journalists, Narayan Gopal Malego, Director General at the Department of Information said. This decision mostly affected the vernacular weeklies and newspapers published from outside Kathmandu.

The former government on October 12, 2004 had unveiled an 11-point media policy doubling subsidies provided as advertisement to weeklies and mofussil papers giving Rs 12,000 for Grade "A" papers, Rs 8,000 for Grade "B" papers, Rs. 6,000 for Grade "C" and Rs 4,000 for Grade "D" papers each month.
The government refused to give this facility to the newspapers which violated the code of conduct. However, Malego did not specify the reasons behind the restrictions on government advertisements to these newspapers.
The Kathmandu Post

March 3, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) protested the searching of the house of Kiran Pokhrel, its central representative and reporter of The Himalaya Times. In a statement, the FNJ asked the government to focus on creating an environment of trust instead of intimidating press.
Asia Pacific Media Network

March 3, 2005
NEW YORK: Security forces in the eastern district of Panchther arrested Labadev Dungana, executive editor of the Panchther Times, district correspondent for Rajdhani daily and president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Panchther district branch, FNJ reported.

Officials accused Dungana of violating public security after he reported student protests against the king's proclamation.In custody, there were Arjun Prasad Shah, editor of Batabaran weekly and Monohar Pokhrel, editor of Jana Aakrosh weekly, and two FNJ representatives in the southern district of Saptari since February 22.

Security forces had been holding D. R. Panta, local correspondent of the Kantipur daily, in the district of Dadeldhura since February 15. Following the arrest of Labadev Dungana, the Dhankuta chapter of the FNJ issued a press release on February 6 requesting the government to free journalists from house arrest. The press statement also called on the government to secure freedom of the press and protect journalists.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on March 7 demanded immediate release of Labadev. IFJ president, Christopher Warren, called it an utter contempt that the Gyanendra regime holds for free speech and human rights in general.

Praising the work of journalists like Dungana despite the presence of soldiers to induce a climate of fear, IFJ said journalists were trying hard to keep their community informed even through publishing an underground newspaper.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), The Himalayan Times, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

March 3, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu district administration, Baman Prasad Neupan, questioned Indra Rijal and Suneel Sharma, owner and editor of the weekly Rashtriya, about an article on Nepalese police action.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

March 4, 2005
KATHMANDU: Police arrested Kamal Koirala, editor of Weekly Roadmap and leader of Nepal Communist Party-UML. He was detained at the Hanuman Dhoka Police Station Kathmandu, but released on March 9.
New Kerala, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

March 4, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu district administration, Baman Prasad Neupan, summoned Surya Thapa, editor of Budhabar weekly, on March 4 and 7, demanding an explanation about an article under the headline "Five parties united against authoritarianism". If found guilty of publishing banned news, he could face up to one year in prison under the press law.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

March 7, 2005
KATHMANDU: Parsa district FM radio station again started its transmission suspended due to the removal of its transmitter by security forces.
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper called the arrest of Dixit "another severe blow to the ideals of democracy and press freedom". Considering the conditions dire for press despite the international pressure, CPJ called for the immediate release of all journalists in detention.

In an open letter posted online shortly after the takeover, Kanak Dixit called King Gyanendra's move "drastic and ill-advised." Nepal security forces released Kanak Mani Dixit after detaining him for nearly five hours.

BBC quoted Dixit saying that the police interrogated about his recent visit to India and asked whether he had tried to meet Nepalese Maoist leaders based in India. The government authorities, however, gave no reason for arresting him.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Federation of Nepalese Journalists, New Kerala

March 8, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The police arrested Ashish Sarraf, a photo-journalist in Janakpur, southern Nepal for taking pictures of a programme organised by political parties. He was released the same day, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) reported. Rishiram Pokhrel, editor of weekly Tanahun Awaj, Damauli, was also arrested for attending a similar programme in the western district of Tanahun.
New Kerala

March 9, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The International Press Institute (IPI)--a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists--expressed concern over "continuing problems" for journalists and said limitation of press freedom and other basic human rights would only prevent the government's ability to ensure security and peace.

In a statement, IPI urged King Gyanendra to withdraw any "restrictions" imposed on the press, recalling the King's recent assurances to some senior journalists that no restrictions would be imposed on the press, except the issues related to terrorism.
The Himalayan Times

March 9, 2005
KATHMANDU: Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist--CPN-UML) and 14 human rights organisations demanded the government to stop attacks on the press and journalists while expressing serious concern over the ongoing censorship of media. In a separate statement, the party also accused government authorities of summoning journalists daily to collect statements for publishing news and views, and harassing them.

In the meanwhile, human rights organisations
in a joint statement demanded release of detained leaders, human rights activists and journalists which they dubbed as violation of the basic and universal principles of human rights. Although government spokesperson, Minister for Information and Communications, Tanka Dhakal, claimed of having no media censorship, but accepted the arrest of journalists and editors and summoning them for clarifications over news and views.
The Kathmandu Post

March 9, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Maoists abducted J. B. Pun Magar, a staff reporter of the fortnightly Himal Khabarpatrika, when he left for Lumbini to cover the recent strife between villagers of Kapilvastu and the Maoists. Rajendra Dahal, editor of Himal, said the Maoists allowed Pun to call back at the office in Kathmandu to tell that he was in custody. Appealing to the Maoists for Pun's immediate release, Dahal said that the efforts were underway to secure his safe and early release.

Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) on March 10 condemned the kidnapping of investigative reporter JB Pun Magar. The organisation called on the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) to free Magar, recalling that Maoists leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara ordered his troops to release all journalists they were holding in September 2004.

J. B. Pun Magar was released on March 11 after three days detention. Dahal said Pun told him about the possibility of not being abducted by the militants, but by those who had been resisting the insurgents in southwestern Nepal. The abductors blindfolded and interrogated Magar, and warned him to "be careful" in his reporting.
Kantipur Online, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

March 10, 2005
KATHMANDU: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urged the government to release Surya Thapa, the editor of Budhabar weekly. The IFJ expressed concern over the summoning of editors of five weeklies to explain why they left their opinion pages blank after the royal move. Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) also expressed concern over the arrest of six journalists in two weeks citing Lavadev Dhungana, editor of the daily Panchthar Times and urged the officials to stop arrests and summons.
The Himalayan Times

March 10, 2005
KATHMANDU: Kedar Chauhan, editor of the local weekly "Rashtriya Samacharpatra" and a reporter for the regional daily "Darshan", was injured when a bomb planted by Maoists exploded under the body of a man in Rajghat, eastern district of Morang.Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF)

March 11, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) claimed of facing direct censorship in districts outside Kathmandu. It said the weekly tabloids were forced by administrators to comply with their interest while covering news and views in Kathmandu.
New Kerala

March 11, 2005
KATHMANDU: Nepal's newspapers found a new way to convey their message to their readers through cartoons after the royal government imposed direct censorship. But Rajesh KC, cartoonist working for Kantipur, with other cartoonists was trying to illustrate with sketches what cannot be said in words. Valuing the role of cartoonists in this situation, he said they put an effort to do what journalists were restricted from doing. One cartoon showed a journalist faxing his story and a government censor hiding under the table, reading the story as it was fed through the machine. Another portrayed a father scolding his son for cutting apart the newspaper, with his wife explaining it was not the child's fault because the newspaper itself had shrunk.
Taipei Times

March 11, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in a meeting decided to hold the federation's general convention on May 3 and 4 on the theme of 'peace and democracy for press freedom. The meeting discussed the political situation of the country and limitation of the freedom of expression imposed on the press in the emergency. Resolving to carry out peaceful programmes, the meeting also decided to provide free legal assistance on behalf of the FNJ to the journalists who had lost their jobs or were affected by the state of emergency.
Nepal News

March 13, 2005
KATHMANDU: The police arrested Ganesh Lama, a reporter for weekly Janaprahar, and detained him at the Ward Police Station at Kamalpokhari.
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)

March 13, 2005
PANCHTHAR: Chief District Officer of the eastern hilly district of Panchthar sentenced Laba Dev Dhungana, Panchthar district president of Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ), to a three-month detention under the Public Security Act, 2046 B. S. Denouncing the government decision, FNJ president Taranath Dahal said they would challenge the decision in the Appellate Court in eastern region.

The FNJ decided to observe a day for 'Freedom of Expression' on March 16 and appealed its members, rights organisations and free expression groups to send faxes to the Prime Minister's Office at Singha Durbar demanding the release of all detained journalists, withdrawal of the state of emergency and restoration of press freedom.
Nepal News

March 14, 2005
NEW YORK: Sarad Adhikari, a correspondent for Channel Nepal, was detained in the western district of Dang while covering the protests staged against King Gyanendra's February 1 dismissal of the multiparty government and declaration of the state of emergency. The protest was followed by a crackdown on protesters leading to hundreds of arrests nationwide. Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) said Mr. Adhikari might be held for three months.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

March 14, 2005
DAMAK: Security personnel manhandled Rupak De Chaudhary, a photojournalist of Reuters in Kakarbhitta for taking photographs of a demonstration by political parties. Security personnel beat him causing head bruises even after he showed his identity card. The security personnel detained him at area police office and released him after three hours. Following the incident, over 30 Indian journalists organised a two-hour wheel jam over the Mechi River bridge, in protest.
The Kathmandu Post

March 15, 2005
DANG: District police office Dang sent five persons, including a correspondent of Channel Nepal, Sharad Adhikari, to jail for three months. They were arrested from Damodar Chowk at the district headquarters on the charge of disobeying law. Various political parties and media organisations demanded the release of journalist Adhikari and other activists.
The Himalayan Times

March 15, 2005
KATHAMNDU: Unidentified gunmen shot and injured Khagendra Shrestha, editor of Dharan Today, at his office. In a statement, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) said Shrestha, who received two bullet injuries, was in a serious condition and undergoing treatment at the local B.P Koirala Medical Institute. Police could not make any headway in the investigation. Condemning the attack, the FNJ demanded the government to identify the criminals and take immediate action against them.
He died on March 30 in a hospital of Siliguri. Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) on April 4 expressed dismay at the death of Shrestha. RSF called on the Nepalese authorities to probe into the matter besides urging Maoists to explain their actions in view of their implication in the killing. The security forces believed Maoists were behind the shooting, but the Maoists did not claim the responsibility.
Nepalnews, Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF)

March 16, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) called upon the government to ensure freedom of expression in the country. FNJ president, Taranath Dahal told Nepalnews that a memorandum was handed over to the Prime Minister's Office, FNJ branches, journalists' organisations and respective CDO offices across the country demanding immediate end of media censorship. Meanwhile, the Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) pointed out four countries China (with 27 journalists imprisoned), Cuba (21), Eritrea (13) and Nepal (9) as the world's biggest prisons for the journalists.
Asia Pacific Media Network, Nepalnews

March 17, 2005
KATHMANDU: Kathmandu police summoned Narayan Wagle, editor of Kantipur, the largest circulating private sector daily-- known for its editorial independence and critical judgment-- for some clarification on a story published in the newspaper. Police handed over a letter to Wagle on March 16 saying that he should report to the 'Criminal Investigation Department' of the District Police Office at Hanumandhoka without citing any particular story. Sources said that the police may inquire Wagle about the front-page reports in its March 15 newspaper stating that 750 protesters around the country were detained on March 14 while taking part in peaceful demonstrations calling for restoration of peace and democracy. Chief District Officer of Kathmandu summoned editors of half a dozen weeklies seeking clarification from them on news items published in their papers and for leaving the editorial page blank. Jorg Frieden, country director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) told journalists in Kathmandu that the next two weeks would be crucial for Nepal referring to the on-going 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in the Swiss capital.

Responding to a letter issued by DSP Hari Bahadur Pal, Wagle went to the district police office on March 18 along with dozens of journalists. After an almost 45-minute-long meeting with superintendent of police Indra Prasad Neupane, Wagle told the journalists that the police asked him about the report on the political leaders and activists being arrested during the anti-King protests held throughout Nepal on March 14. The police said the report was against the spirit of the February 1 royal takeover, he said. Calling it harassment of the press, Wagle told the police that it was not the authoritative body to question the contents of a newspaper.
Nepalnews, The Himalayan Times

March 17, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The government prohibited publication of interviews, articles, news, information, reading materials, opinions or personal views that directly or indirectly abet terrorism against the intent and the spirit of the royal proclamation. The Home Ministry notice said the government would act against anyone who published the prohibited matter in contravention of the notice under the Press and Publication Act-2048 BS.
Kantipuronline

March 17, 2005
KATHMANDU: A five-member fact-finding mission of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) arrived in the Nepalese capital aimed at having the first hand knowledge and official version of the press situation. During its five-day stay in Nepal, the mission, led by SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam, would meet journalists, representatives of media bodies, human rights activists, lawyers, government officials and members of donor community. The mission had requested for an appointment with Home Minister Dan Bahadur Shahi on March 18. It would also hold a roundtable discussion with journalists and human rights activists. The SAFMA team comprised SAFMA India president KK Katyal, SAFMA Bangladesh general secretary Zahidiuzaman Farooq, Nihal Singh of India and Nasir Malick of Pakistan.
Nepalnews

March 20, 2005
KATHMANDU: Maoists killed Dhan Bahadur Roka, news reader of Kham language service in the state-owned Radio Nepal, in October 2004, after holding him captive for more than a year. Roka was reportedly killed in Khawang VDC, on the border between Rukum and Rolpa. FNJ condemned the killing of the journalist who was abducted from Surkhet. Human Rights and Peace Society and Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) on March 22 demanded the Maoists to explain the killing.
Kantipur Online, The Himalayan Times

March 21, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in a statement said that the security forces had arrested Rajesh Chandra Raj Bhandari chairman of FNJ Baglung branch and Hari Narayan Gautam its secretary, while they were on their way to an interaction programme. Two other journalists, Dipendra Chauhan, managing editor of local daily Ankush and Gopal Brahi were arrested on March 18 in Birgunj. The six journalists already in detention were Lavadev Dhungana FNJ's Panchthar district chairman, Manohar Pokharel and Arjun Shah of Saptahari, D.R Pant of Dadeldhura, Rishiram Pokharel of Tanahun and Ganesh Lama of Kathmandu. Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) on March 22 urged the government to release the journalists.
Kantipur Online, The Himalayan Times

March 21, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Pakistan-headquartered South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), a regional media watchdog, called for the restoration of press freedom and the right to information in Nepal. After a five-day fact-finding mission to Nepal, SAFMA issued a statement saying that the imposition of emergency rule was "symptomatic of the failure of state ... and breakdown of constitutional structures and rule of law." Mentioning the tyranny of censorship on media, SAFMA said that clauses and sub clauses under the Print, Publication and Broadcasting Act were imposed on media. Expressing concern for the safety of journalists especially living and working outside Kathmandu, SAFMA said the sword of uncertainty was hanging on the media.
Kathmandu Online

March 21, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on forming a joint coordination committee, a joint journalism vigilance group, and a data collection group in all the five development regions. SAFMA website would be made available to FNJ, in which news and articles banned in the Nepalese media would be put. Taranath Dahal on behalf of FNJ and Gopal Thapaliya on behalf of SAFMA signed the MoU before the return of the five-member fact-finding mission led by Imtiaz Alam, secretary general of SAFMA. The preliminary report prepared by SAFMA put forward demands for easing the atmosphere for the press to work, immediate release of the ten journalists in detention, and asked the rebelling side to guarantee the security of the journalists, and to allow them to work without any hindrance.
The Rising Nepal

March 22, 2005
KATHMANDU: Human Rights and Peace Society in a meeting called on the government to end the state of emergency, lift censorship on press, restore democracy, and allow free movement of individuals. Terming the February 1 royal move against the spirit of human rights and democracy, the meeting asked the government to release Krishna Pahadi, the founding chairperson. The meeting also asked the Maoists not to organise blockades and strikes and urged them to stop abducting teachers, students and politicians.
The Himalayan Times

March 22, 2005
KATHAMNDU: Birgunj District Administration issued 21-point stringent media directive to the local media prohibiting media from publishing any news story that directly or indirectly discouraged civil servants from performing their duties and responsibilities. It also banned publication of any 'vulgar story that goes against public norms and sentiments'. Mukund Acharya, the editor of a local daily 'Ankush' said they would continue to work as before the royal move despite directives.
Kantipur Online

March 23, 2005
NEW DELHI: Journalists in Nepal found the alternative source of imparting news and information through outspoken web logs and blogs to bypass tight censorship imposed on the freedom of press after February 1 royal move. Dinesh Wagle, a newspaper journalist who runs United We Blog, said their survival, intellectually and mentally, depended on freedom. In an email interview, he said he began blogging for a peaceful and democratic Nepal. United We Blog! and another popular blog, the anonymous Radio Free Nepal published interviews with arrested political leaders and news about anti-king protests which the mainstream media could not publish. United We Blog! and Radio Free Nepal were aimed at highlighting the country's plights to the outside world. The mushrooming cyberworld established a place rapidly inviting people to widen its circle like Wagle, coordinator of the art and style section of Kantipur, the leading Nepali language daily, had his own website (www.wagle.com.np).
Calcutta Telegraph

March 24, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) set up a fund for providing a lump sum amount to families of the journalists who were taken into preventive detention after the February 1 royal takeover. In a press statement, Bishnu Nishthuri, FNJ general secretary, announced financial assistance for the medical treatment of Khagendra Shrestha, editor of Dharan Today. The FNJ and Human Rights and Peace Society demanded the government to immediately and unconditionally release 10 journalists working for various newspapers.
The Himalayan Times

March 24, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu district administration office issued arrest warrant against Rajesh Kumar Batala and Chandra Rawal editor and assistant editor of a vernacular weekly, Kasthamandap Express. The ward police office Lainchaur said both were not registered with the Press Council of Nepal and Mohan Prasad Upadhyay Sharma was found registered as the editor at the Press Council.
The Himalayan Times

March 27, 2005
TANAHU: Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Durga Shrestha, said journalists were free to write and publish any kind of news. Speaking at a programme organised by the Reporters' Club in Damauli, she said the government did not bar the journalists from writing any kind of news, but they should be objective and encouraging.

Replying to a query on a ban on FM news broadcast, Shrestha said FM stations were spreading terror by transmitting exaggerated version of events.
The Himalayan Times

March 29, 2005
KATHMANDU: About 200 journalists defied a ban on protests to march through Kathmandu demanding restoration of press freedom curbed since February 1 royal move. Riot police stood guard as reporters, editors and photographers waved banners seeking the release of 13 journalists.

Tara Nath Dahal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), expressed the resolution to continue the struggle until there is complete press freedom. In a statement, he said Nepali journalists would have to fight for complete democracy, press freedom and human rights. Political parties and human rights groups said hundreds of politicians, journalists and human rights activists were under detention since Gyanendra assumed power on February 1.
Reuters

March 31, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged King Gyanendara to release imprisoned journalists, terming the detention unacceptable and a disturbing indication of the risks faced by all reporters during the state of emergency, especially in rural areas. Showing concern over the deteriorating press conditions, the CPJ said it all happened despite king's commitment to democracy and free expression and his assurance that restrictions on the press were temporary. In its letter, the CPJ demanded the journalists to be allowed to serve the crucial role of watchdog against abuses by the government and Maoists.
Kantipuronline

April 4, 2005
CHITWAN: District Administration Office, Chitwan, interrogated three district reporters-Prabhakar Ghimire, Narayan Sharma and Khuman Singh Tamang of Kantipur Publications separately about a news item on torching of seven trucks by the Maoists. During the interrogation, acting Chief District Officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police asked them about the news source and ordered them to verify the news from district administration or security source before reporting.
Kantipuronline

April 5, 2005
KATHMANDU: Security officers guarding CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal's house manhandled journalists who were there to cover Deuba's visit. The officers seized cameras of photojournalists and deleted all the pictures. The act sparked criticism from several media organisations and political parties including Nepali Congress, which in a statement termed it an "uncivilized and immoral" act, exposing the government attitude toward the press.
The Kathmandu Post

April 5, 2005
KATHMANDU: The state-run Radio Nepal began blocking news transmissions of BBC World Service that it had agreed to relay over 103 FM in Kathmandu without mentioning any reason. Radio Nepal started relaying the BBC World Service in November 2004 after entering into an agreement with BBC, which reportedly paid a hefty amount to Nepal Radio for hiring its FM frequency. The government had already barred over 50 FM radio stations in the country from airing news and current-affairs based programmes immediately after the imposition of the state of emergency on February 1. Launching FM relay in Kathmandu, Business Development Manager of the BBC for Asia and Pacific region, Michel Lobelle, hoped that the number of listeners would go up than 300,000 after the World Service programmes were launched over a local FM station. The successor of the then executive director of Radio Nepal, Shailendra Raj Sharma, could not be reached for comments. A British embassy official in Kathmandu refused to comment on the episode, saying he had not heard anything from the BBC yet in this regard.
Nepalnews

April 8, 2005
NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the Nepalese government's abrupt decision of denying all advertisement to private media aimed at stifling critical coverage. A copy of a government memo reproduced on April 6 in the weekly Jana Aastha stated that the new directive ordered all government agencies to stop payment on advertisements except state run media. Information Minister Tanka Dhakal confirmed the government action and The Kathmandu Post reported Dhakal saying that they were thinking to give incentives to those media supporting nation and crown.

Local journalists told CPJ that the advertisement suspension would cause even more economic hardship for the Nepalese press. CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper while calling for the immediate repeal of this inequitable directive, said the ban was meant to punish media outlets critical to government.
Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF)

April 9, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Birgunj Police detained Kashinath Yadav, editor of Brahmastra daily and Rabindra Singh, correspondent of Kalaiya weekly, as they were going to cover protest by the political parties. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) said Krishna Prajapati, correspondent of Sandhya Times Daily, Kathmandu, was detained on April 7. Kamal Raj Regmi, who had been in detention, was now sent to jail giving some security reasons.

FNJ in a statement said the security forces warned the journalists associated with Blast Times and Morning Post in Dharan to stop covering news on political parties or face the consequences. Journalists Kishor Karki, Keshav Ghimere and Bimal Shakya were detained by the security forces for a day. The FNJ said it would discuss on April 10 government's suspension of its advertisements to private media.
Kantipuronline

April 9, 2005
TANAHU: The police questioned Ghanashyam Khadka, reporter of The Kathamndu Post, in Tanahu, regarding the news on political parties' demonstration and police intervention. Armed security personnel took him to District Police Office from his house where DSP Devilal Khanal and Inspector Himalaya Kumar Shrestha grilled him. The police reportedly asked him to retract the report in writing; however, Khadka refused, saying that the police were not the authoritative body to question him about news items. In the meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Tanahu, denounced the police act in a press release.
The Kathmandu Post

April 10, 2005
KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) said it would soon start street protests against the government's decision to deny government advertisements to the private media. Speaking at an interaction organised by FNJ, Taranath Dahal, FNJ president, charged the government with initiating an economic blockade against all private media to carry its propaganda. Accusing the government of destroying media rather to protect and promote it, Mr. Dahal expressed surprise that private media entrepreneurs were yet not united against the government decision. Gopal Thapaliya, president of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), Nepal, while reiterating the demand, asked the Information and Communication Minister Tanka Dhakal to define "nation, nationalism and crown". Minister Dhakal had recently said that the government would provide advertisements only to those media, which disseminate news in favour of the nation, nationalism and crown.

He urged the journalists to exhibit fortitude to face this challenge where FM radios suffered loss of 36 to 80 per cent in the form of advertisement. Analysing unity as a key force between publishers and journalists, Raghu Mainali, general secretary of Radio Broadcasting Association, suggested utilising unity to exert pressure on the government to retract its decision. Kishor Shrestha, editor of Jana Aastha, a Nepali language weekly, expressed concern over the government's plan to introduce anti-press laws, able to fine a journalist from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 100,000 in case they write any thing against any one in the government.
The Kathmandu Post

April 11, 2005
TANAHU: Robin Poudel, sub-editor of Aawaj weekly, Tanahun, was handed a warrant for 3-month detention under the Public Security Act, Article 3, 1. He was arrested from Damauli while reporting on protests demanding restoration of complete democracy.
The Kathmandu Post

April 12, 2005
KATHMANDU: FM radio broadcasters voiced concern over the government's decision to deny government advertisements to the private media, labelling it as a "ridiculous" step. The statement sought a clear stance of the ministry of information on banning the broadcast of news on FM, which challenged the concept of freedom of the press and the entire constitutional base.
The Himalayan Times

April 12, 2005
KATHAMNDU: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international media watchdog, urged Nepal to stop imprisoning journalists and to free at least 10 journalists. The CPJ's findings, after a fact-finding mission to the kingdom, came as another media rights body, Reporters Without Borders, cited new cases of journalists being arrested and news media censored in Nepal. CPJ demanded an end to the ban on private FM radio stations broadcasting their own news. Calling the government crackdown a "devastating blow" to Nepal's vibrant private media, the CPJ resolv