Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) has expressed concern about the safety of journalists in Nepal’s Terai where armed groups are becoming increasingly active. According to RSF, at least 72 journalists have been attacked or threatened since January 1 by groups that use violence against the media and the civilian population in general.

The press freedom body terms the situation as ‘alarming’. “Armed militants are harassing journalists with the aim of silencing them or turning them into propagandists,” the RSF said.

RSF also asked the authorities, especially the interior and information ministries, to do everything possible to put an end to this climate of open hostility. “The government has a duty to ensure that the press is able to work, especially in the run-up to elections,” it said.

RSF asked Information and Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the spokesman of the government, to quickly intercede with all affiliated organisations in order to get them to stop the attacks and threats against journalists.

“Although the Maoists agreed to lay down their arms in April 2006, more and more rebel groups are emerging in Nepal, threatening the peace process and the work of journalists, above all in the Terai region,” it said.

According to home ministry, at least nine armed groups have come to the surface that do not hesitate to resort to violence despite repeated requests.

RSF said death threats have become commonplace in the Terai and that the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) is the most aggressive group towards journalists. The MJF alone is responsible for at least 16 cases of threats or violence against journalists since the start of the year, it said.

Madhesi Tiger Nepal and Young Communist League (YCL) also were reportedly involved in harassing journalists.

Radio broadcasters sends memo to FM

In the meantime, the independent radio broadcasters submitted a memorandum to Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat on Wednesday asking the government to meet several demands agreed earlier.

The demands include recognition of radio as prioritised domestic industry, scrapping of the license renewal fees, ending royalty charges, public advertisement to FM radios, security to the journalists working with radio and end of government and political interference in the government owned media bodies, among others.