JUNE 22, 2005
Posted: June 24, 2005
Ten journalists
HARASSED
Police arrested 10 journalists who were protesting media restrictions in Banepa, in the central district of Kavre, according to nepalnews.com and local sources. Journalists had gathered to read poetry and sing in support of press freedom and democracy. They were arrested after entering an area where public protest had been banned and were released five hours later, according to nepalnews.com.
The protest was part of a program organized by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists to protest restrictions on the media imposed after Nepal’s King Gyanendra took power in a royal coup on February 1. In June, journalists stepped up protests against a ban on private FM radio news broadcasting and reports of proposed media law amendment to codify and strengthen existing restrictions.