Media in Crisis

Twenty years ago this week, we interviewed Anne Cooper, then-executive director of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). She told us that defending press freedom means defending the public's right to know. Nearly three months into national emergency following a royal coup, Cooper observed that Nepal’s media situation was the biggest press freedom crisis in the world at the time.

Excerpts of the interview published in issue #243 15-21 April 2005:

Nepali Times: In your meetings here this week did you see any hint that press freedom will be restored?

Ann Cooper: The government is beginning to see the mistake it has made, partly because of international pressure and criticism and also what its actions have done to the Nepali people. This is a country that had a very vibrant media. It is important for people to know about human rights abuses by Maoists. It seems ridiculous that journalists have been accused as Maoist sympathisers just because they report about Maoists.

Did you raise the issue of curbs on radio journalism?

Broadcasting is all in the state's hands. In some areas, you can get state broadcasting while in other areas you can also get these clandestine illegal Maoist radio broadcasts. There is nothing independent in between to give people a more objective view about what is going on. FM radio stations are very important in rural areas and now they are told not to broadcast any news at all. They had local discussion programs where people could talk about very local issues like clean water, women and children's health and environment. All of that is being taken away.

Globally, how do you rate the media situation here?

It is definitely one of the worst in the world. It's been very difficult for journalists as things got much worse after February First.

For archived material of Nepali Times of the past 20 years, site search: nepalitimes.com