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 In terms of cases of censorship, the royal government superceded Pakistani, Chinese, Cuban and North Korean regimes.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

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.

Bidwan ji,

Shakya king was elected as far as i know

Bir Bhadra Ji here is the meaning of the word king. Please try to remember this.

A king is a male who rules a country because of inheritance. A king usually comes to power when one of his parents dies. For much of history most countries were governed in this way, especially in Europe. In some countries people elected a new king from candidates.

The wife of a king is called a queen. A woman who becomes a monarch because of inheritance is also called a queen.

If a country has a king or a queen, that means it is a monarchy. A country which a king or queen rules is called a kingdom.

Let's elect Deuba the new king of Nepal...!!









































NOT!!

in nepal, in ealier Gurkha kingdoms when it was called Liglig, before K Drabya took contorl, they elected their kings from among young men who could pass certain tests. as in the myth, the running game.

Boy oh Boy, I sure can beat that fat ass gyanendra in running..lets get back to the same rule.

Bidwanji,

i know the definition of king, i was just giving you example that king could be elected.

Not only in Nepal also American news is highly censored, news directors all over the world use americannews feeds as a last resort, filler. Major facts are always left out of US news reports...it journalism at its worst. Censorship in a 'free' country hehe....

Let's elect Deuba the new king of Nepal...!!

































































































































































































































































Lets ask to Ladyinred.

Tehi kaam baki cha aba... :)

Ladyinred, hajur ko aru dherai Kaam chha ki kaso? :-) Kaam bhe lobh ra moha pani ta hola. :-))))))))

Be happy that I dont have any Krodh....

What connects Hitler and Gyandai? :S

Qatar air and Lufthansa ! :)

LOL Ocean!