Veteran journalist and press freedom advocate Bharat Koirala speaks to WAN about the media situation in Nepal since King Gyanendra imposed a nationwide state of emergency on 1 February, which saw the arrest of scores of journalists and censorship of media throughout the country. Despite ongoing restrictions on the media, self-censorship and a potentially destructive media bill under review, he remains hopeful about the capacity of the Nepalese media to regain their rightful position as the Fourth Estate.

WAN: Could you give a few concrete examples of how the press freedom situation in Nepal has changed since 1 February?

Bharat Koirala: In my 40 years in Nepalese journalism I had never seen the kind of harsh censorship that was imposed on the Nepalese media immediately after 1 February. Military officers were stationed in newspaper offices and radio and television stations to censor press material. This came as a great shock because the Nepalese press had developed tremendously since the restoration of democracy in 1990 and had become one of the most vibrant in the region. All this has changed.

Even though direct censorship of the press has stopped, there is now a heavy dose of self-censorship. The media is not able to independently report the Maoist conflict and the general public receives only information provided by the Army. Even prominent editors are summoned to the government’s district offices for writing what in the eyes of the authorities are objectionable. The impact of these draconian measures has been quite harsh on the media: newspapers circulations have gone down, media organizations have laid off many journalists making hundreds of them jobless, journalists reporting the Maoist conflict have been displaced from their districts and are seeking shelter in Kathmandu and air of uncertainty tends to shroud the entire mass media in the country.

Radio stands out as the number one victim of the King’s action on 1 February. The private radio stations are not allowed to broadcast news or information-related programmes. Since the popularity of Nepal’s radio stations, including the community stations, has been because of their news and current affairs programmes, many of the stations are now on the verge of closing down. Their advertising revenues have more than halved since February. They were forced to lay off a large number of journalists working in their news departments which have been closed down.

Even worse, there are now reports that the government is about to come out with further restrictions on the press by amending the present law.

However, the media organizations are now united in their determination to oppose the restrictions and keep campaigning for full freedom of the press.

WAN: The king ended the state of emergency on 29 April. What changes did this convey?

Bharat Koirala: The King did end the State of Emergency and it was welcomed by everyone including the media. But, nothing has changed. The restrictions continue to exist and there is the likelihood it is going to get worse. The media continues to operate in an atmosphere of uncertainty.

WAN: What have been the economic consequences for the media following the events in the last months?

Bharat Koirala: The Nepalese media has been experiencing severe economic problems following the imposition of restrictions in February. Advertising revenues have gone down. The government has decided to publish public notices only in government publications. This had been a lucrative source of income for the fledgling Nepalese media. Hundreds of journalists are now without jobs because of falling circulations in newspapers and closing down of news departments in private radio stations.

WAN: What role should media play in the return to a functioning democratic system?

Bharat Koirala: The media should continue its campaign for restoration of democracy and full freedom of expression. The media should assert its rights and seek support both within the country and outside to return to a free, independent and pluralistic media. Rather than join politicians in the streets the media should use the power of the word to launch a relentless struggle for freedom of expression.

WAN: How have you personally been affected by the ongoing events?

Bharat Koirala: I feel sad that what we had been able to build in 15 years of democracy was practically destroyed overnight. However, I feel happy that fellow journalists are asserting their rights by writing boldly and publicly campaigning for freedom of expression. It assures everyone that all is not lost for the Nepalese media. I am very optimistic that the voice of reason will ultimately prevail.

Bharat Koirala has dedicated the past two decades to helping develop independent media in his native Nepal. In 1984 Koirala launched the Nepal Press Institute, which provided journalists with new skills through the country’s first ever training programmes, eventually leading the Press Institute to set up branches to train rural reporters throughout the 1990s.