DECEMBER 25, 2008 The Alliance for Press Freedom, which was launched yesterday as a joint front of five major media bodies of the country to protect press freedom, has set four conditions for talks with the government.
Issuing a press statement Wednesday, the Alliance which includes Nepal Media Society, Editors’ Alliance, Broadcasting Association of Nepal (BAN), Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB), and Kathmandu Valley FM Broadcasters (KVFB), said it will not sit for talks with the government unless the latter fulfilled its four-point demand.
The demands are: the environment of threats against media houses is removed; the two Maoist affiliated union leaders, Ramesh Babu Panta and Ramesh KC, who led the recent attack on Himalmedia are arrested and criminal cases filed against them; a public apology from the government over the recent attacks on media; and a trustworthy commitment from the government to protect press freedom from further threats, intimidation and violence.
The Alliance also made it clear that it will continue with its agitation unless the government met the demands.
The Alliance was formed on Tuesdsay bringing together Nepal’s national daily newspapers, magazines, television stations, radio networks and news portals.
The Alliance also decided to disseminate the message—“The Struggle for Press Freedom Continues” through all member newspapers, television stations, radios and news portals as long as it continues the agitation.
(Source:Kantipur Report, December 25, 2008)
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