Nepali journalists fear crackdown
"We have felt that now the United Nations needs to play a more proactive role to protect the Nepalese media community from all types of offences by an autocratic regime," the group said.
"Nepalese media and media professionals are in total danger now," it said in a memorandum to Ian Martin, the local representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Nepal's Supreme Court on Friday refused to block a widely-criticised law banning radio news programmes and introducing heavy fines and jail terms for those who criticize the government and members of the royal family.
Friday's ruling on a petition brought by nine groups including the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), cleared the way for the government to impose the controversial law, which has led to strikes and protests.
Kantipur FM, sister organisation of Nepal's largest private media company, said it would respect the law and end its news broadcasts.
"Most other private radio stations have taken a (similar) 'soft approach' after the court's decision but they have not stopped airing news-oriented programmes," said Ghama Raj Luintel, spokesman for the Save Independent Radio Movement (SIRM).
Minister for Information and Communications Tanka Dhakal told reporters Saturday that the government would take severe action against those who violate the media ordinance.
"They will face dire consequences," Dhakal said.
In their memorandum the journalists said the Nepalese media was at one of the most critical junctures in its history.
"The state will expedite its repressive measures against the media," they said.
"The situation is such that the property of some five dozen independent radio stations and hundreds of newspapers could face attacks from the state (at) any time."
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