http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Media+and+politics+Public+right+to+dissent&NewsID=217571
Media and politics Public right to dissent Last Updated : 2009-12-29 12:19 PM The Himalayan Times - Saved Articles(s) Gokul Pokhrel As we are approaching the end of the year 2009, there are apprehensions that the country will slide back again into political uncertainties and an insecure future. The New Year will be less propitious for media persons who are already facing the axe of harassment, threats, intimidation and life-threatening assaults. The recent brutal attack on a young radio journalist Ms. Tika Bista of Rukum district is a grim reminder that all is not well for journalists who undertake the mission of objective reporting and discussion of issues of public concern in a fearless manner. More alarming than the assault was the ghastly method of torture used in attempting to decimate the victim, ostensibly with the aim of terrifying many others who dared to challenge the self-styled custodians of public interest and morals. The publicity gained by the incident was enough to scare away the media persons who are operating in remote districts under very harsh and insecure conditions. The tactics was reminiscent of the period of armed conflict when various terror methods were used by state and non-state forces to intimidate their victims and scare away the public. More distressing, the criminals responsible for the murder of journalists Birendra Shah and Ms. Uma Singh are still absconding, apparently under the protection of powerful political groups. Day in and day out, reports are still pouring in with stories of assault, intimidation and threats to journalists who dared to report the wrong doings of political parties and sectarian interest groups. The acts of impunity are simply rising unabated as the state security apparatus is ineffective in dealing with the breach of law and order situation. As a result, journalists are constrained to bend their pen and voices commensurate to the anticipated threat level and, thus, freedom of expression has to be compromised for personal security. Sadly enough, the historic gains achieved through the second Jana Andolan are fast receding amid bitter clash of interests among major political parties that are bent on decimating the influence of one over the other. People’s expectations of a bright future under a Federal People’s Republic are fading fast as their basic rights get trampled under the weight of lawlessness and insecurity. People have begun to ask: Was this the fruit they deserved following the abolition of the 240-year institution of monarchy? However, constitution making is an important landmark that will unfold the next stage of orderly and peaceful transformation opening doors for fresh elections for a new government. Given the atmosphere of clash of interests and rifts among political leaders and their inability to patch up their differences by themselves, there are doubts if the expected results will be achieved during the stipulated period of the next one year. In recent times, progress in the constitutional process has been rendered more complicated by the Maoists with their unilateral declaration of autonomous states on ethnic agenda, the rationality of which is being challenged by the other political parties. In such a murky scenario, free and independent media are expected to play an important role in informing the people about the challenges involved in carving out a new Nepal in which all the people, sans discrimination, are sovereign and independent. The Interim Constitution has given adequate guarantees for the functioning of a free press which should embolden the media to criticize the lapses and short-comings of political leaders irrespective of their stature or influence. But, constitutional guarantee for freedom of expression does not have much meaning in the absence of a culture of tolerance and respect for the voice of dissent which is the life-blood of democracy. This right is an important corollary of the public’s “Right to Know”. Media persons are concerned that this basic right is being mauled and trampled with impunity creating obstructions for the functioning of a “free and independent press”. This right presupposes respect for “voice of dissent” which is presently under threat and not seriously addressed by the leaders of the country. The demarcation in the role of statesmen vis-à-vis the role of a professional journalist is a classic case of defense of media freedom in public interest and democracy. It is an irony that in our context, reporting the truth with impartiality and objectivity should entail enormous risks and life threatening hazards reminiscent only in tribal or authoritarian states. There were times when communist ideologues justified denial of freedom of expression for the enemies of socialism, a policy practiced later during the repressive panchayat era in Nepal. We are living in a period of great contradictions. Contradictions persist in our allegiance to principles and behavior in public. While the politicians are never tired of paying lip service to values of press freedom and independence, they are found less generous in tolerating criticism about their failings and wrong doings. In fact, we are operating with tribal mind-sets that frown at voice of dissent rather than providing respect to it. Pokhrel is former NHRC member, and ex-president of Nepal Press Institute ------------------------------------ -- INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTMedia mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to [email protected], OR, if you have a Yahoo! 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