I am not writing to criticise Roshan, nor am I writing in direct support of his comments. I am sure that anyone reading this response is aware of the violent attacks carried out on Himalmedia’s offices and staff and without more detailed knowledge of the events leading to this I can not condone such action. However, having travelled with Roshan in Nepal I know him to be a fair and individually minded person.

There is currently much unjustified criticism towards the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) [CPN(M)] for attempting to control Nepal’s ‘free’ press, primarily due to the aforementioned protest against Himalmedia. However this violent protest was not organised or condoned by the CPN(M) themselves, but merely carried out by a Union branch connected to the party. These unfair critiques are due to the nature of the Nepali press, which in turn is due to the historical political situation through which the media organisations have operated.

Until the Maoist victory in Nepal, any media had to seek Royal permission to print any article or story. In effect this meant that all stories required pre-publication clearance from Royal advisors, by not doing so (and if the story upset Gyanendra or his allies) the media house risked heavy fines, whilst the reporter risked arrest and even disappearance. In effect the Nepali press has never been as free as it is under the Maoist led Coalition Government’s rule.

However, due to this historic dictatorial-like control of the Nepali press, those that held senior levels within the press were staunch Royalists; and it remains these people that control much Nepal’s mainstream media. Therefore whilst there is no (or relatively little) legislated state control over the Nepali media, they are controlled from within by the morals and viewpoints of the old senior staff. This has lead to many unfair stories being published against anyone that stands against the old monarchical system, with no apologies being published for outright lies. In light of this it is very understandable (if unfortunate) that socialist and revolutionary groups are outraged by the Nepali mainstream press.

In my personal opinion, the Nepali media needs and deserves no protection from the state, or the people. It is the press itself that must reform, or revolt. The senior staff with outdated opinions and ethics should be given early retirement to enable a new generation of Journalism for the new Nepal.

Ha ha ha
Nice Playing Games

You’ll be doing a great service to our Nepali society if you are able to identify the person I am talking about, and create an alert about this dangerous person.

In the second paragrah, I have specifically written that this name appeared on certain web sites when I ran a search, but a definite identity.

Thank you for reading.

Thanking you
Mr. Bharat Mani Jangam
President Executive Board
Jangam Foundation
Bhaktapur, Nepal