Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 19:

A delegation of radio journalists today met Communication Secretary and sought explanation on the ban on news broadcast by non-governmental radio stations. Radio journalists have been protesting against the government ban on the FM radio stations from broadcasting news after the February 1 royal proclamation. There are 46 radios in operation in the country at present. Ghamaraj Luitel, spokesperson for the Free Save Radio Movement Central Action Committee, said: “We met the secretary and asked why we are being banned from broadcasting news. We asked why the apex court decision has not been implemented. He simply said he cannot give us the right to broadcast news.” The delegation sought written prohibition note, quoting legal restrictions on news broadcast. “The secretary has called us on June 22. We hope he will be more positive to us,” he added. Meanwhile, journalists today organised a satiric poetry symposium with a theme that it is not possible to conceal information. Over a dozen poets recited their poems on the present political condition.