Concern at decision to launch army radio

A decision by the Nepali government to allow the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) to launch its own FM radio network throughout the Himalayan kingdom has caused concern among local journalists and press freedom activists. They say it’s another nail in the coffin of free media in the country. The RNA plans to set up 10 mobile FM radio stations with one based in the capital Kathmandu, disseminating information and message about military activities. The army has embarked on new offensives since Maoist rebels ended their unilateral ceasefire at the start of 2006. Journalists fear that the move will mean more control over the mass media, which has come under severe pressure and censorship since King Gyanendra assumed direct rule in February 2005. The king dismissed the government led by former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and now rules through an unelected group of ministers, made up of staunch royalists. Gyanendra is also supreme commander of the army that has been battling Maoist militants for more than a decade. “This decision will jeopardise the independence of the media that we have fought for over many years,” said activist Raghu Pant of Save the Independent Radio Movement – a local NGO. After decades of tight state control over the nation’s airwaves a new generation of independent radio outlets have emerged in recent years. The number of independent radio stations in Nepal rose from just one in 1997 to 49, mainly broadcasting on FM and employing nearly 2,000 journalists and technicians. The government decision is being seen as an attempt to counter the rebels’ mobile FM stations that broadcast regularly in many parts of rural Nepal in an attempt to win listeners over to their cause. Journalists say the move creates less space on the airwaves for unbiased information on the conflict. “Both the government and Maoists have been misusing radio - a powerful mass media – and army radio will only divide society and increase hatred in the country,” Bhagirath Yogi, editor of Nepalnews.com, said. Radio journalists say they will be launching a series of national protests on the airwaves to warn Nepalis – many of whom rely on radio as the sole source of news and entertainment – that army radio may be less balanced in its perspective than independent radio outlets. The army is yet to make an official announcement on when it will launch the stations, but has carried out test transmission in the capital, according to a report in the national daily Samacharpatra. “It’s [army radio] still in the planning phase, we are surprised at all the speculation in the Nepali media, even before our radio has been launched,” said RNA spokesperson, Brig Gen Nepal Chand Bhusan.