World Press Encyclopedia: A Survey of Press Systems Worldwide Vol. 2

643 Pages·2002·10.952 MB·English

by  Amanda C. Quick

W
ORLD
P
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NCYCLOPEDIA
a survey of press systems worldwide
SECOND EDITION
V 2
OLUME
N–Z
W
ORLD
P
RESS
E
NCYCLOPEDIA
a survey of press systems worldwide
SECOND EDITION
V 2
OLUME
N–Z
. ,
AMANDA C QUICK PROJECT EDITOR
wpe_fm aaaaa 8/28/03 4:32 PM Page iv
World Press Encyclopedia, Second Edition
A Survey of Press Systems Worldwide
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Quick, Amanda C.
World press encyclopedia : a survey of press systems worldwide /
Amanda C. Quick.-- 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7876-5582-1 (set) -- ISBN 0-7876-5583-X (v. 1) -- ISBN
0-7876-5584-8 (v. 2)
1. Press--Encyclopedias. 2. Mass media--Encyclopedias. I. Title.
PN4728 .Q53 2002
070'.03--dc21
2002152063
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
N Ocean in the southern part of Africa. It is a vast country
AMIBIA
that is sparsely populated with about 1.79 million people,
but its population is expected to reach 2.30 million by
2025 and 3.75 million by 2050. Namibia is bordered by
BASIC DATA Angola and Zambia (north), the Atlantic Ocean (west),
South Africa (south and southeast) and Botswana (east).
Official Country Name: Republic of Namibia Walvis Bay, which covers 434 square miles, is Namibia’s
main port for imports and exports. At one time, South Af-
Region (Map name): Africa
rica tried to take over Walvis Bay and make it a part of
Population: 1,797,677
South Africa.
Language(s): English (official),
Most of Namibia’s adult population is made up of in-
Afrikaans, German
digenous Africans, mostly from the Ovambo, Damara,
Literacy rate: 38.0%
and Herero groups. There are also more than 50,000 Col-
Area: 825,418 sq km oureds (people of mixed racial descent), more than
GDP: 3,479 (US$ millions) 40,000 Afrikaners (people of South African descent), and
more than 25,000 people of German descent.
Number of Television
Stations: 8 Namibia had a troubled history. Initially, Hottentots
Number of Television Sets: 60,000 (a short, racially mixed, brown-skinned people) invaded
the country from South Africa; since they had guns, they
Television Sets per 1,000: 33.4
conquered Herero and Damara territory. They were fol-
Number of Radio Stations: 41
lowed, in 1883, by the Germans who laid claim to what
Number of Radio came to be called South West Africa. When Europeans
Receivers: 232,000 met for what was called the ‘‘Scramble for Africa,’’ Na-
Radio Receivers per 1,000: 129.1 mibia was ceded to German control. With their superior
firepower, German merchants, soldiers, and missionaries,
Number of Individuals with
established forts and settlements. They conquered or took
Computers: 60,000
over everything in their path, except for Walvis Bay,
Computers per 1,000: 33.4
which the British had occupied and annexed to Cape Col-
Number of Individuals with ony, one of the four provinces of South Africa. Using
Internet Access: 30,000 brute force, the Germans took land and cattle from the in-
Internet Access per 1,000: 16.7 digenous people. It is estimated that 65,000 Hereros were
killed by the Germans, but German occupation did not
last long.
BACKGROUND & GENERAL History During World War I, South Africa invaded
German West Africa, intending to make the large country
CHARACTERISTICS
a part of South Africa. The League of Nations blocked
Namibia, formerly called South West Africa, is a that move, instead giving South Africa a mandate to look
mostly desert or semi-desert country just off the Atlantic after the territory. However, South Africa ignored the
WORLD PRESS ENCYCLOPEDIA 637
NAMIBIA
League of Nation’s wishes and, from 1920 to 1946, treat- to support its SWAPO allies by providing them with
ed Namibia as if it were a part of South Africa. When bases for guerrilla training and weapons with which to
World War II ended and the United Nations (UN) fight South African occupiers. South Africa chose to sup-
emerged as a successor to the League of Nations, South port the National Union for the Total Independence of
Africa refused to acknowledge that the UN had jurisdic- Angola (UNITA). As South African soldiers and their
tion over Namibia. Instead it tried to engage in creeping UNITA allies tried to take over Angola, the MPLA ap-
annexation, treating Namibia as one of its provinces pealed for support from its socialist allies. Cuba’s Fidel
(states) and actually allowing legislators from the future Castro sent in soldiers to support the MPLA government,
Namibia to be chosen to represent their country in the leading to a decisive defeat for South Africa and the ex-
South African Parliament. pulsion of its soldiers from Angolan soil. That forced
South Africa to return to the negotiating table again,
Under increasing pressure from newly independent
where she insisted that her troops would not leave Na-
African countries and other countries that wanted to end
mibia until Cuban troops left Angola.
colonialism, the UN took South Africa to the Internation-
al Court of Justice, which issued unclear verdicts in 1962 South Africa finally agreed to Namibian indepen-
and 1966. However, in 1972 the court finally declared dence, giving up her dreams of absorbing Namibia and
that South African occupation of Namibia was illegal. using it as a buffer zone to keep Africans from the north
Two years later, the UN Security Council nullified South outside Pretoria’s boundaries. When South Africa agreed
Africa’s attempts to annex Walvis Bay, the main Namibi- to end its illegal occupation of Namibia, the SWAPO re-
an port. Despite the court ruling and the Security Coun- turned home to contest the country’s elections. SWAPO
cil’s actions, the apartheid government—a system of won a majority in the 75-member National Assembly in
legalized racial segregation that left control of the coun- the 1990 elections, dashing South Africa’s hopes that a
try in the hands of the white minority while the black ma- government more friendly to South Africa would emerge.
jority was voteless and powerless—in South Africa On March 21, 1990, the country became independent and
continued to act as if nothing had changed. The situation officially changed its name from South West Africa to
indeed was changing; black South Africans were organiz- Namibia. Sam Nujoma, who was born in 1929 and be-
ing themselves in an effort to end South African rule and came SWAPO leader in 1962, became Namibia’s first de-
to stop the creeping annexation that saw apartheid being mocratically elected president in 1990.
exported to Namibia.
Media History The Namibian constitution guarantees
In 1960 the South West African People’s Organiza-
and protects press freedom. Generally, the media in Na-
tion (SWAPO) was born as a black nationalist movement
mibia is freer than in many other African countries, al-
to agitate for change in Namibia, including majority rule
though clashes have increased between the SWAPO
and independence. These ideas were anathema to South
government and the Fourth Estate. Namibia boasts four
Africa’s rulers who were doing their best to suppress the
daily newspapers: The Namibian, an independent English
African National Congress and the Pan-Africanist Con-
and Ovambo newspaper based in Windhoek, with a circu-
gress, the country’s domestic black nationalist move-
lation between 10,000 and 25,000, whose editor, Gwen
ments. South African pressure forced African nationalist
Lister, is also active in press freedom issues in Southern
leaders to flee Namibia and flee into exile in Zambia and
Africa; the Namibian News, a government newspaper
Tanzania. By 1966 SWAPO had turned to guerrilla war
published by the Ministry of Finance in Windhoek; the
as the only way to drive South Africans out of Namibia.
Namibia Economist; and the Allgemeine Zeitung, a Ger-
South Africa responded by escalating its efforts to sup-
man newspaper published in Windhoek, established in
press SWAPO and its allies. SWAPO leaders in the coun-
1916 (Editor-in-Chief Eberhard Hofmann).
try were arrested and some were detained or jailed in
South Africa proper, away from their supporters. Other Namibian newspapers include Die Repub-
likein (The Republican), a daily Afrikaans, English, and
As SWAPO increased military pressure against
German language newspaper, established in 1977 in
South Africa, the United Nations continued to insist that
Windhoek (Proprietor Democratic Media Holdings),
Namibia was a trust territory being temporarily con-
with a circulation between 10,000 and 25,000; Tempo, a
trolled by South Africa until one day its people would ex-
German and English language newspaper, established in
ercise their right to self-determination and independence.
1992, published in Windhoek on Sundays (Proprietor
South Africa tried numerous strategies and subterfuges
Democratic Media Holdings, Editor Des Erasmus), with
to remain in control over Namibia.
a circulation in the 10,000 to 25,000 range; and the Win-
After neighboring Angola won independence from doek Advertiser, a daily English language newspaper es-
Portuguese rule on November 11, 1975, the Popular tablished in 1919 in Windhoek (Proprietor John Meinert
Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) decided (Pty.) Ltd. with some Democratic Media Holdings share-
638 WORLD PRESS ENCYCLOPEDIA
NAMIBIA
holding), with a circulation of less than 10,000. The pri- ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK
vately owned Allgemeine Zeitung and the government-
By African and Third World standards, Namibia is
owned Namibian News are the country’s most influential
relatively well off. Its gross national product (GNP) per
newspapers.
capita was U.S. $2,030 in 1994. The national currency is
Other publications include Namibia Review, a the Namibian dollar. The national languages are English,
monthly English magazine published by the Ministry of used for all official purposes and business, Afrikaans,
Information and Broadcasting, with a circulation of Damara, Herero, German, Ovambo, and Kavango. Wind-
10,000; and Abacus, a weekly, free English newspaper hoek, with a population of about 150,000 people, is Na-
with a circulation of 30,000. mibia’s capital and largest city.
Namibia is a semi-arid and semi-desert country, with
A major player in the country’s print media is Demo-
rainfall ranging from 2 inches to 19.8 inches per year.
cratic Media Holdings, a business enterprise run by the
The agricultural basis of its economy depends on cattle,
Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), the country’s of-
fish, sheep, corn, millet, fruit, and sorghum. Mining also
ficial opposition party. DTA is a grouping of whites and
anchors the economy. Namibia has diamonds, uranium,
others opposed to SWAPO. South Africa would have pre-
lead, gold, copper, zinc, tin, silver, tantalite, pyrites, va-
ferred to see the DTA win Namibian’s independence
nadium, cadmium, tungsten, and germanium.
elections because DTA was more compliant and more
willing to do Pretoria’s bidding. Life expectancy in Namibia is 60 years for women
and 58 years for men, which is higher than normal for
The government-owned Namibia Press Agency most Africans. However, this relatively high longevity is
(NAMPA) is the country’s leading domestic news agen- now under attack by HIV/AIDS, which is also decimating
cy. It also works with the Pan African News Agency for other African countries.
receiving and distributing news and information within
Another serious problem facing Namibia is illitera-
the country.
cy. Although education has been free, universal, and
compulsory to age 16 since 1990, illiteracy is still high
PRESS LAWS
because South Africa neglected the education of black
children. Illiteracy is 38 percent, most of it among the in-
The print media in Namibia is far freer in the 2000s
digenous people, thus affecting their ability to read and
than it has been in the past. During the days of South Af-
understand newspapers. In 1998 Namibia had 400,325
rican control, all forms of media were restricted. Various
students in primary schools, 115,147 students in second-
laws, including those governing defense, prisons, the po-
ary schools, and 90 students in vocational institutions.
lice, the ubiquitous Internal Security Act, as well as emer-
Newspaper readership will likely increase as literacy
gency regulations, severely restricted what journalists
rises.
could report, publish, photograph, or record. They could
not report prison, police, or military stories or anything
STATE-PRESS RELATIONS
about unrest or guerrilla activities or SWAPO. Anything
considered likely to undermine the Pretoria regime was Although it has not always been happy with how the
also untouchable as far as journalists were concerned. written media has covered it, the Namibian government
The Pretoria regime deliberately tried to use the print has generally been tolerant. There have been few restric-
media, just as it did with radio and television, as part of tions, although libel laws can be used to deter the media.
a total onslaught campaign against SWAPO. The media The constitution protects press freedom, so there have
was ruthlessly muzzled. been no arrests or torture of journalists. When it comes
to radio and television, however, the Namibia Broadcast-
Everything changed with Namibia’s independence.
ing Corporation (NBC) is the sole provider of all elec-
Its constitution guaranteed press freedom, including the
tronic media services, a state-owned national
ownership and publication of privately owned newspa-
broadcaster. Owners of radio or television sets are re-
pers. There is an explicit guarantee, under Article 21, that
quired to buy an annual listeners’ license. These fees go
freedom of speech and expression includes the press and
to the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation, which is subsi-
other media. However, the government has the power to
dized by the government.
restrict these freedoms in the interests of public order, de-
cency, morality, national security, contempt of court, or ATTITUDE TOWARD FOREIGN MEDIA
defamation. Generally, Namibians have had far more
press freedom than many of their neighbors, although When it was under South African control, foreign
there have been some clashes between the government media was not allowed into South Africa. The only media
and the private media. given access was South African newspapers, especially
WORLD PRESS ENCYCLOPEDIA 639
NAMIBIA
the pro-apartheid publications. The media that operated out the country.’’ His call was for the media to become
in Namibia was subjected to the same restrictions and ob- a partner in development, to be the Fourth Estate, and to
stacles faced by their counterparts in South Africa. At hold the government accountable to its people—a role
that time, being found in possession of foreign publica- too few African media outlets are permitted or encour-
tions, especially those from communist countries, could aged to play.
result in a prison sentence.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Since independence, the media in Namibia has en-
joyed much more freedom. Foreign publications and
Before independence, journalists were trained in var-
journalists are now welcome, as are media and journalists
ious African countries, especially Zimbabwe, Zambia,
from neighboring countries. The government, however,
and Tanzania. There were no domestic training opportu-
discourages foreign ownership of the media. The Voice
nities during the days of minority rule. Now such oppor-
of America, South Africa radio, and the British Broad-
tunities exist, as well as courses instituted by Britons and
casting Corporation are among listeners’ favorites.
Canadians. Short courses, training seminars, and work-
shops are also regularly offered in Namibia and in the
BROADCAST MEDIA surrounding countries for the common training of South-
ern African journalists. Other Namibians go overseas or
When it comes to electronic media, the Namibian
to South Africa for advanced training, some of which has
government has been tighter. According to the latest fig-
been underwritten by UNESCO and the United States In-
ures, there were 215,000 radio receivers in 1995 and
formation Agency.
232,000 in 1997. During the same period, television re-
ceivers went up from 39,000 to 60,000. The Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting is responsible for formu- SUMMARY
lating guidelines on how the media should act. It also
Under apartheid, on all issues concerning prisons or
runs the NBC, the successor to the South African Broad-
national security, the media deferred to the government.
casting Corporation; the NBC is responsible for radio and
No stories could be reported on those issues without first
television services. Desert TV is a privately owned sta-
getting a government comment or denial. This is no lon-
tion in Windhoek.
ger the case; the media reports freely, for the most part.
Although NBC is also the national radio broadcaster, The future looks bright for Namibian journalists, except
the government has allowed the emergence of privately- those in the electronic media who remain under govern-
run stations such as Radio Kudu, which specializes in ment control. It’s common throughout most of Africa that
music; Radio Wave, a private contemporary music sta- radio and television remains under strict government con-
tion; Radio Energy, another music outlet; Radio 99, an- trol. Namibia is not yet an exception.
other private music station; Channel 7, a private religious
station based in Windhoek; and Katutura Community BIBLIOGRAPHY
Radio, also based in Windhoek, which rebroadcasts some
‘‘Africa.’’ Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, 7th
British Broadcasting Corporation programs.
edition. Worldmark Press, 1988.
The pre-independence media in Namibia was used
to propagate and prop up the apartheid policies of the Pre- Africa South of the Sahara, 31st edition. Europa Publica-
toria regime. News was used to demonize those seeking tions, 2002.
to bring about a more democratic society, and penalties
British Broadcasting Corporation. ‘‘Country Profile: Na-
were in place to punish those who violated the minefield
mibia.’’ Encyclopedia of Africa South of the Sahara,
of laws designed to protect those in power and to shield
2002.
them from the spotlight of relentless media scrutiny.
Under the new political dispensation, the media has be- Merrill, John C., ed. Global Journalism: Survey of Inter-
come a major player in institution building and in the dis- national Communication, 2nd edition, New York & Lon-
semination of news and information. The press has taken don: Longman, 1991.
on more of a watchdog role. Perhaps the change in the
new order of things was best summed up by Hidipo Ha- Shivute, Mocks. ‘‘The Media in Post-Independent Na-
mutenya, then Namibia’s minister of information and mibia.’’ In Communication & The Transformation of So-
broadcasting, when he said: ‘‘Our media must also pro- ciety, eds. Peter Nwosu, Chuka Onwumechili, and
vide a feedback channel to the government by timely and Ritchard M’Bayo. Lanham, New York: University Press
adequately reporting on development countrywide. They of America, Inc., 1997.
must. . .closely monitor the implementation of the various
economic development projects and programs through- —Tendayi S. Kumbula
640 WORLD PRESS ENCYCLOPEDIA
NEPAL
N ‘‘Nauru,’’ CIA World Fact Book (2001). Available from
AURU
http://www.cia.gov.
‘‘Nauru,’’ Freedom House (2000). Available from http://
www.freedomhouse.org.
BASIC DATA
—Jenny B. Davis
Official Country Name: Republic of Nauru
Region (Map name): Oceania
Population: 11,845
Language(s): Nauruan, English N
EPAL
Literacy rate: N/A
This Oceanic island, located south of the Marshall BASIC DATA
Islands, became the world’s smallest independent repub-
lic when it achieved independence from Australia in Official Country Name: Kingdom of Nepal
1968. It joined the United Nations in 1999. The President Region (Map name): East & South Asia
holds dual roles as chief of state and head of government,
Population: 25,284,463
heading a unicameral, 18-seat Parliament. The official
language is Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island language, Language(s): Nepali (official), English
but English is widely spoken and often used in govern- Literacy rate: 27.5%
ment and business. The population is approximately
Area: 140,800 sq km
12,000. Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rocks
of the Pacific. Accordingly, the country’s economy has GDP: 5,497 (US$ millions)
been dependent on phosphate mining for nearly 100 Number of Television
years. The industry has given Nauruans a high standard Stations: 1
of living, but reserves are quickly dwindling, demand is
Number of Television Sets: 130,000
waning, and the extraction process has severely damaged
the land, stripping as much as four-fifths of the country’s Television Sets per 1,000: 5.1
total area. In an effort to replace mining, the government Number of Cable
is encouraging the development of the offshore banking Subscribers: 66,700
industry.
Cable Subscribers per
The government of Nauru respects freedom of 1,000: 2.9
speech and the press. There is no daily newspaper. The
Number of Radio Stations: 12
most widely read newspaper is The Nauru Bulletin,
which appears weekly every Friday. A publication of the Number of Radio
Department of Island Development and Industry, it fo- Receivers: 840,000
cuses on government news and information and has a cir- Radio Receivers per 1,000: 33.2
culation of 700. It was founded in 1965. The Central Star
Number of Individuals with
News, founded in 1991, appears fortnightly on Saturday
Computers: 70,000
and publishes in both Nauran and English.
Computers per 1,000: 2.8
There is only one radio station, which is AM, one
Number of Individuals with
television station, and one Internet service provider, Cen-
Internet Access: 50,000
pacNet, Inc. There are 7,000 radios and 500 televisions.
Internet Access per 1,000: 2.0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CenpacNet, Inc. (n.d.) Home Page. Available from http://
www.cenpac.net.
‘‘CocoNET Wireless,’’ The University of Queensland, BACKGROUND & GENERAL
Australia (1997). Available from http://www.uq.edu.au. CHARACTERISTICS
‘‘General Information,’’ Worldtravelguide.net (2002). The Nepalese government rigidly controls the press.
Available from http://www.travel-guide.com. Laws regulate press activity and copyright stipulations,
WORLD PRESS ENCYCLOPEDIA 641
NEPAL
which are specific to the kingdom of Nepal because it did lishment of a multi-party government and denounced the
not sign the international Berne Convention regarding politically corrupt bhumigat giroh (underground gang).
copyright. By the twenty-first century, Nepal had 2048 After the April 1990 pro-democracy revolution, Rising
Constitutional provisions dictating how the press should Nepal and other newspapers began carrying news about
publish news and information. Media often presents con- the new political parties permitted to function in Nepal.
flicting perspectives because of the varied policies and Founded in 1993 as the first private morning daily, Kan-
agendas constraining journalists. tipur newspaper had the largest circulation by the twenty-
first century.
In the early twenty-first century, the Department of
Many Nepalese magazines are printed in English.
Information said that Nepal has approximately 1,550
The Nepal Traveler is designed for distribution to tour-
news publications of which 185 are published on a regu-
ists, hotels, and airports and features cultural stories such
lar basis. Half of the publications are based in Kathman-
as events related to festivals and holidays. The weekly
du. Approximately 60 daily newspapers are published in
Nepal Press Digest was first published in Kathmandu in
Nepal; about 80 percent of Nepalese newspapers are wee-
1956 and prints news from foreign newspapers as well as
klies. The Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) National
political parties’ information which official government
News Agency posts a reporter in each of Nepal’s seventy-
papers either refuse to include or discuss with bias. Himal
five districts in addition to a main office in Kathmandu
is a bimonthly prepared by the Kathmandu Himal Asso-
and releases mostly government speeches. Two-thirds of
ciates since 1988 that includes environmental essays,
the districts of the kingdom have newspapers and jour-
book reviews, and news concerning the region around the
nals, which have low circulation rates. Although 85 per-
Himalayas. Alternative media includes Asmita Monthly,
cent of Nepalis live in rural areas, most mainstream
a feminist magazine published since 1989 with a circula-
Nepalese media published in the Kathmandu Valley ig-
tion of 10,000 and an estimated readership ten times that
nores issues specific to those areas. Fifty-five percent of
number, which explores gender and human rights issues
Nepal’s 24 million population are illiterate, and poor
and promotes social responsibility.
roads and infrastructure limit print media distribution.
In 1898, Sudhasagar was the first newspaper pub- PRESS LAWS
lished in Nepal. Gorkhapatra (Nepalese), published in
In 1960, after King Mahendra Bir Bikram overthrew
Kathmandu since 1901, is Nepal’s oldest newspaper still
Nepal’s parliamentary government and established the
in circulation. Founder Maharaja Dev Shamsher Rana in-
non-political party system Panchayat, media conformity
tended this newspaper to voice the Nepalese people’s
was demanded by the dictatorial monarchy. The 1962
opinions and concerns. Instead, this government-owned
RSS Act specified that only the government news agency
periodical prints mostly speech texts and official pro-
could exist. The Press and Publication Act of 1965 stated
nouncements. Gorkhapatra became a daily in 1960 and
in section 30 that the government could order cessation
had the largest circulation in Nepal with an estimated
of media considered harmful to public interests. A Press
75,000 copies. The language used in this newspaper is a
Advisory Council was established in 1967 as a means to
complex version of Nepalese that is often difficult even
ease relations with frustrated media professionals, but
for natives to comprehend. The contents of Gorkhapatra
journalists had minimal input. Four years later, the Na-
are similar to Rising Nepal, an English daily published
tional Communication Plan encouraged improvements of
by the government’s Gorkhapatra Corporation that is in-
government-sanctioned media for Nepal’s development.
tended for a tourist and expatriate readership. A Nepalese
The government envisioned using radio to educate rural
edition of Rising Nepal is also issued. Some news ob-
teachers. In 1975, a second Press and Publication Act for-
tained from foreign press agencies is translated into Nep-
bade criticism of Nepalese royalty and government.
alese.
King Birenda Bir Bikram perpetuated his father’s
The Nepal media frequently features the royal family press policies until the 1990 democratic revolution,
and palace events. King Birenda contributed a daily say- which the private press supported. The ban on political
ing for editorial pages. Attempts to privatize the Gorkha- parties was lifted, and a multiparty coalition government
patra Publication Corporation have been unsuccessful. In was developed. The next year, the Nepalese Congress
the early 1980s, journalists became more vocal against party won the first democratic election held in thirty-two
government involvement with the media. Keshab Raj years. This democratic revolution reduced some of the
Pindali founded the influential independent Saptahik Bi- strict media controls because the new constitution ad-
marsha (Weekly Review) in 1982. Prime Minister Surya dressed the right to distribute information. However,
Bahadur Thapa provided funds for Nepalese Awaj (Nepa- journalists were still controlled if they attempted to inves-
lese Voice) but did not force that newspaper to endorse tigate and report on issues the government considered
only his liberal agenda. Nepalese Awaj advocated estab- controversial.
642 WORLD PRESS ENCYCLOPEDIA
NEPAL
STATE-PRESS RELATIONS sociation protested the arrest and noted that Nepalese
journalists had long resisted efforts to silence media and
Each publication or station in Nepal presents ac-
resented psychological techniques intended to intimidate
counts based on their political affiliations. Ninety percent
reporters, editors, and publishers. The groups also criti-
of Nepalese newspapers do not sell advertisements and
cized the government for not publicizing facts about the
rely on sponsors, usually politically related. Journalists
royal killings. Nepalese and international media, human
often are active members of political parties and use the
rights groups, and diplomats denounced the arrests and
media to advance their political careers. Many editors and
demanded that the prisoners be released. Former Prime
publishers gain their positions through political appoint-
Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba supported the media and
ments and lack journalistic education and experience. As
stressed that freedom of the press was essential for de-
a result, reports tend to favor partisan agendas.
mocracy to thrive.
Representatives of independent media are usually
Minister for Information and Communication Shiva
unable to convince political parties to share news with
Raj Joshi justified the government’s actions for interven-
them. Reporters risk losing their jobs if they attempt to
ing as reaction to anti-monarchy essays. At a press con-
write or broadcast pieces contrary to government media
ference, Nepal officials requested that the media refrain
dictates. Nepal’s constitution includes the right for Ne-
from issuing material that might instigate national disuni-
palis to have access to information, but the Nepalese gov-
ty and damage the government’s integrity. The govern-
ernment resists cooperating with independent media and
ment established a branch for information to transmit
risking the release of news which might be embarrassing
approved news releases about the palace massacre to the
for officials. The lack of credibility of many journalists
media. Minister of State for Information and Communi-
causes Nepalis to be skeptical about news.
cation, Puskar Nath Ojha urged the press to not antago-
nize the government.
Reporters often describe journalism as one of
Nepal’s most dangerous professions. Many Nepalese
journalists are afraid to report accurately about govern- BROADCAST MEDIA
ment corruption, especially concerning judiciary or po-
Most Nepalese have access to information via radio.
lice abuse of power, because they might be arrested and
Established in 1950, the state-owned Radio Nepal broad-
charged with contempt of court. Targeted journalists
casts to all of Nepal except the Himalayas. The Radio
often have their offices raided or homes ransacked. In
Nepal meeting hall is the occasional site of government
1994, Harihar Birahi, editor of the weekly Bimarsha Nep-
press conferences. The 1993 Communication Policy Act
alese, was fined and jailed for printing a cartoon depic-
encouraged independent radio transmissions. By 1995,
tion of Nepal’s Supreme Court. Journalists Mathbar
Radio Nepal began selling airtime to private investors for
Singh Basnet and Sarachchandra Osti published a photo-
commercial broadcasts. Three years later, the govern-
graph of Princess Shruti Shah posed with an Indian actor
ment began issuing licenses to private FM radio stations.
in the weekly Punarjagaran Nepalese and were punished
Approximately one dozen stations have been licensed,
for implied criticism of the royal family. Om Sharma was
but they are not permitted to air news and political bulle-
imprisoned for 89 days in 1997 without a trial on charges
tins. Most stations are concentrated in the Kathmandu
that he had supported Maoist guerillas.
Valley, but some are located in other parts of Nepal.
On June 7, 2001, the Kathmandu Post reported that Radio Sagarmatha, established in 1998, was the first in-
the government had arrested Kantipur’s editor Yubaraj dependent FM station, and operates from the base of
Ghimire and Kantipur Publications directors Kailash Mount Everest. The BBC Nepalese Service has broadcast
Sirohiya and Binod Raj Gyawali. The police officers since 1994.
claimed the journalists were guilty of printing rebel Mao-
Beginning in December 1985, the state-owned Nepal
ist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai’s editorial, which
Television Corporation began airing programs several
blamed a conspiracy for the June 1, 2001, massacre of
hours daily. By the twenty-first century, there were
King Birendra and his family. High-ranking Nepal au-
79,000 televisions in Nepal. Viewers often use satellite
thorities refused to answer reporters’ questions concern-
dishes to receive international broadcasts from CNN and
ing the charges. The Nepalese government had
the BBC in addition to Indian and foreign programs.
previously monitored the Kantipur Publications’ investi-
Television is limited because only 15 percent of homes
gative reports that focused on government corruption and
have electricity. Much broadcast media consists of enter-
scandals. Reporters speculated that media scrutiny and
tainment rather than news.
criticism had enraged government officials such as Prime
Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who wanted to eliminate Internet access is Nepal is limited by lack of equip-
any freedom of the press. Both the Federation of Nepal ment and related expenses. Journalists do not regularly
Journalists Association and the Working Journalists’ As- use the Internet to research. Some sites post articles from
WORLD PRESS ENCYCLOPEDIA 643