KPOST EDITORIAL

Royal censorship

King Gyanendra's government formed after the February 1 putsch topped the list of the countries repressing the press freedom in 2005. In terms of cases of censorship, the royal government superceded Pakistani, Chinese, Cuban and North Korean regimes. These regimes, which are considered the enemies of the free press, were almost similar to the royal regime when it came to honoring press freedom. In a roundup release, the Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) --- the global media watchdog --- recorded 1006 cases of censorship last year compared to 622 in 2004. Since King Gyanendra declared the state of emergency on February First to impose his diktat on the people, the media became the prime target of his move. The intention behind the royal move was obviously to demonstrate the strength of the king's government. Several incidents leading to detention of many journalists, seizure of FM equipment at midnight by the armed personnel and the raiding of media houses explained that the king's government could go to any length to repress the press freedom.

In recent months, the handpicked Home Minister Kamal Thapa and Vice-Chairman Tulsi Giri, among other royal hawks, have gone overboard claiming that the country enjoys press freedom and democracy. The mockery of what Giri and Thapa are saying lies in the recently introduced media ordinance. Former minister of information and communication Tanka Dhakal introduced the Media Ordinance with a motive to further stifle the press freedom. The closure of weeklies published from remote districts were another instance of how the regime is curbing the press freedom. The RSF also noted that Nepal figured among the 15 "enemies of the Internet". Though the number of journalists detained in 2005 has decreased, incidents of harassment continue to surface in media.

Begum Khaledia Zia's government in Bangladesh, backed by the Muslim fundamental parties, followed suit to beat other communist and dictatorial regimes in terms of suppressing press freedom. In Nepal and Bangladesh, the physical attacks and threats to journalists' lives have significantly increased. Such threats and attacks have certainly discouraged active journalists from reporting in-depth stories related to state atrocities meted out on the innocent civilians, especially children and women. The internal war certainly ignites terror and atrocity but such wars in no way propel the regime to curb the press freedom. In this regard, the international community must condemn the state atrocities and ensure that the state respects the press freedom and thereby restores people's rights. No individual can act as a savior of democracy when his deeds are against the people's wishes.

Posted on: 2006-01-05 21:58:13
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=61804

what do the royal chumchas say now? these slaves--some unfortunately in the sajha land also-- will wait until their master coughs up to lick it and spread the virus. after all, it is not in the habit of such cumchas to think!!!

I dont know about Royal chamchas, but this is what I have to say. Actually, I take that back, we dont say things. We believe in doing things, and the person in the palace who you keep referring to as ROYAL is MY KING. So eat your hearts out!
Hope you are sucking those DQ of your leaders, as pretty soon that very DQ is gonna FUQ you all in the A. Wait for the day when those same leaders will sell your ass and your families to India for some Rupia. Then remember that I told you so.

Mr. Bodega, why do you want to digress from the topic? Where do the leaders come in the above article, and what do leaders have anything to do in the above article?

Perhaps, you've got your lord, and you consider yourself as slave of KG, and think that everyone ought to be slave as you're the one. But please remember, slavery was eliminated long time ago, and we're no more slaves. So leaders are not our masters, and I do never hesitate to criticize equally for misdeeds of leaders.

Are you lonely1, Gwajyo? Did you ask me any questions that you thought my answers were directed to you, B itch?

i did not elect the king he is not my king. most nepali will want him gone.

Bir Bahadur don't be stupid. Kings are not elected. DOH.

Ha ha ha
What is this... National inquier of Nepali News ? One supporter is trying to smear the other. These MORONS really think Nepali people are that STOOOPID ? That we don't know what is going on and need IGNORAMUS' like these to come and tell us this 'N that. Comparing Nepal to NKorea, and CUBA ? he he U kiddin' me ? I don't think Nepali people are that Gullible. he he !

deoneofakind,
ARE YOU FUGGIN OUTTA YOUR MIND ? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THE FUG THIS GUYS DID BEFORE YOU EVEN TAKE HIS FUGGIN NAME ? IF YOU DO THEN YOUR BRAIN MUST BE FULL OF SHIT FOR MAKING SUCH AN IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT. MORONS LIKE YOU WILL ATTRACT FBI THIS SITE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THINK MORON BEFORE YOU POST.

YO MORON,
IF YOU SOO WANT TO BE ON FBI'S NEO NAZI LIST GO AHEAD. BUT DO NOT INCLUDE OUR COMMUNITY IN IT. FUUGIN SONOFABITCH !!!

BathroomCoffee stop trying to be the self proclaimed prophet of decency.

Oh BathroomCoffee Sir, Sorry Sir , I am on my knees Sir begging 4 ur forgiveness Sir, Sorry Sir, I didn't know Sir, I am a Fool Sir, Please don't Sir , I am so Shit scared of you sir.... He He you ...............madreCHOT SUK ma Gik.

Posting Hitler picture is decent in your opinions then huh !

Bathroom saying FUG FUG FUG FUG after every word, in everyone of your numerous posting is more indecent than posting one pic of hitler.

I got ticked off cause this moron started another thread with tittle Hail Gyanendra and picture of Hiter. WOW you are telling me that my swearing is worse than other people looking at the Nepali community as Nazi sympathizers ? C'mon now.

Well If you can't post what you feel like posting then its no different than the press censorship in Nepal, better close this site down!!

YEa you can goto a NEoNazi Site and Hail whoever the helll you want not in this NEPALI SITE.

what are we doing here people... let's stay focussed on the topic, if we agree to the claims that nepal suppresses the freedom of press.

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Constitution of Nepal
Article # 13. Press and Publication Right:

1. No news item, article or any other reading material shall be censored. Provided that nothing shall prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty and integrity of the Kingdom of Nepal, or which may jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes or communities; or on any act of sedition, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence; or on any act against which may be contrary to decent public behaviour or morality.

2. No press shall be closed or seized for printing any news item, article or other reading material.

3. The registration of a newspaper or periodical shall not be canceled merely for publishing any news item, article or other reading material.

Article # 127 Power to Remove Difficulties:

If any difficulty arises in connection with the implementation of this Constitution, His Majesty may issue necessary Orders to remove such difficulty and such Orders shall be laid before Parliament.

Article # 53. Summoning and Prorogation of Sessions and Dissolution of the House of Representatives:

4. His Majesty may dissolve the House of Representatives on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. His Majesty shall, when so dissolving the House of Representatives, specify a date, to be within six months, for new elections to the House of Representatives.

Article #72. Ordinance:

1. If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, His Majesty is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, He may, without prejudicing the provisions set forth in this Constitution, promulgate any Ordinance as He may deem necessary.

2. An Ordinance promulgated under clause (1) shall have the same force and effect as an Act:
Provided that every such Ordinance:

a. shall be tabled at the next session of both Houses of Parliament, and if not passed by both Houses, it shall ipso facto cease to be effective;

b. may be repealed at any time by His Majesty; and

c. shall, unless rendered ineffective or repealed under sub-clause (a) or (b), ipso-facto cease to have effect at the expiration of six months from its promulgation or sixty days from the commencement of a session of both the Houses.
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Since KG's takeover, i think article 13 is completely dissolved. Of course during takeover using article 127, HM did declare that all clauses of constitution shall be dissolved. but let's see (it's very simple):

Feb 1 takeover was using 127 but violated 53.4. And regarding the ordinaces, KG used 72, but violated 13. Even if 72 was used, say because it was important, then 72 itself is violated because of 72.2.c. I don't even know why is there constitution in the first place. Perhaps KG would just say that the constitution shall not apply to the Kingdom of Nepal, rather than acting out with constitution's support.

Personally, because of historical, traditional and cultural perspective, i think Nepal should stay a Kingdom, but i think people should decide what they need to do. During the era of King Mahendra Nepal was only 10% literate, Panchayat rule is acceptable, because only the few elites and educated were capable of handling national businesses. Now about 40% are, and it is continuosly growing into modern trend of communication, when we know what is happening around the world. I think the power lies in People and humanity than army and forced (fictitious???) rule.

Why do we need to fight? The truth is truth no matter what you believe. It's not gonna have any effects on 'The truth'.

Right now, the truth is Nepal being one of enemy countries of internet. The internet that we enjoy so much can not be accessed with that freedom in our own country.

What's the fuss? Freedom of the press is neccessary for humans. Nepalese are Bheda-Bokas. So they don't deserve freedom. Get it? Now chill.