exactly as received**
To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), mediamonitor@fnjnepal.org
8 June 2007 Kathmandu, Nepal
FNJ condemns Pakistan's move to curb press freedom
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) along with the whole press world of Nepal is shocked at the extreme suppression and control by the Government of Pakistan on its press.
Killings and arrests of journalists, unbelievable penalty, censorship andcontrol on publication/ broadcast media clearly shows that the governmentis trying to institutionally end the press in the nation. The Federationexpresses its serious disagreement on anti-press policies and activities ofPakistani government. FNJ urges the Pakistani government to uplift allkinds of restrictions, release of all the arrested and proper compensationto the family of deceased journalists.
The anti press steps initiated by Pakistani government is not in favor ofitself. The Federation would like to suggest the government there to learnlesson from the recent history of Nepal which showed this will in the endharm the totalitarian and dictatorial regime itself. The Federation alsosuggests on improving the anti-press policies and to respect the worldwidenorms of press freedom.
Nepalese press is with all the Pakistani Journalists who are extremelysuppressed by the government and also give its full support for theirethical professional movement. Nepalese press believes that victory ofpress is the victory of people and democracy. So, we request all thePakistani journalists not to bow in front of totalitarianism and anti pressdictatorship. We, Nepalese journalists have experienced and believe thatthe free press will never bow down in front of any totalitarianism. We urgethe Pakistani journalists to not to forget that the all journaliststhroughout the world are standing by the side of the Press freedom. Alongwith FNJ, other media rights organizations of Nepal, South Asia MediaCommission ? SAMC Nepal Chapter, South Asia Free Media Association ? SAFMANepal chapter, Nepal press Union, Press Chautari Nepal and National Unionof Journalists also expressed their solidarity.
**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility of FNJ**
