Battle for free press is only half-won: SAFMA reps

May 9, 2006
3 MIN READ
A
A+
A-

Senior delegates of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) have said even though democracy and freedom of press have been restored after the April Movement, Nepali media still have a long battle to fight for complete independence.

Speaking at a press conference upon arrival in Kathmandu on a media mission Monday, SAFMA representatives and intellectuals lauded the struggle of the Nepali people and the press for democracy and press freedom and stressed that Nepali press should continue its fight.

SAFMA secretary general Intiaz Alam, who is leading the mission, said at the press conference that Nepal has set a fine example of struggle for democracy and press freedom. “Nepal is an example of fight for democracy and freedom of press for the South Asian region. But there are still challenges ahead for the press,” he said and added that SAFMA had serious concern about the Media Ordinance enforced by the previous government which has not yet been scrapped.

“I would also urge the Maoists to allow journalists to work freely in areas controlled by them,” Alam said. He informed that preparations were underway to establish the branch of South Asia Press Commission in Nepal.

Binod Sharma, general secretary of SAFMA India Chapter and associate editor of Hindustan Times, said that some credit for recent achievement after the people’s movement should go to the Nepali press for its relentless fight.

Sharma was of the view that the Maoists have to prove their democratic credentials by expressing commitment for free press.

Royajuddin Ahemed, general secretary of SAFMA-Bangladesh, said that democracy came in Nepal and Bangladesh almost at the same time (1990) but the media in both countries had to go through many hurdles. Restoration of democracy, according to him, does not automatically ensure press freedom thereby creating a need for the press to continue struggle.

Speaking at the same program, SAFMA president Gopal Thapaliya said SAFMA had been working for free flow of information in the Sough Asian region.

Raja C. Mohan, associate editor of Indian Express, said the media must remain vigilant even when the political system is democratic.

General secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Mahendra Bista, stressed that journalists must have fair participation in the process to draft new constitution so that press freedom could be ensured.

SAFMA vice-president Yabaraj Ghimire, former president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists and secretary of South Asian Press Commission, Naqbi Hussein, also stressed the need for further struggle for press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal.

The mission is scheduled to meet editors, representatives of media groups and political leaders and discuss ways to ensure press freedom in Nepal, SAFMA officials said.