Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 20:

The newly elected office bearers of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) today announced protests programmes to press for the restoration of the derailed constitutional process, a press statement issued here said. The journalists’ body has announced protest programmes for May 21 whereby all the offices under it will see unfurling of black flags. May 24 will witness an interaction session while similar protest on May 26 will see interaction on the ban on airing of news on FM radio. Similarly, an interaction will be held on May 29, which will highlight the lot of journalists who were harassed and intimidated. June 3 will see interactions in capital and outside on issues ranging from embargo on government advertisements to continued disruption of mobile telephone service. On June 5 the FNJ is holding demonstrations highlighting the lot of journalists who were associated with FM stations in public places. Location, however, is to be notified later. Token demonstrations with the participation of the next of kin of reporters who have been arrested or intimidated have been planned for June 8.

Similar token demonstration with the participation of the representatives of the media houses have been planned for June 10. A joint rally of professionals has been planned for June 12, the statement said. Meanwhile, the Reporters’ Club Nepal today expressed strong resentment at the way the local administration interrogated publisher of Himal magazine Kanak Mani Dixit over the content of an article yesterday. The club has also resented the detention of Dev Kumar Subedi a Surkhet-based reporter of Samay weekly, statement issued today said. Also today, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, Nepal, flayed the way the self-styled Maoists looted equipment belonging to the Ghoda Ghodi FM station in Ataria of Kailali district yesterday night. The station which was on air since the last one year has come to a close.