Newslook :: Nepal's Premiere Online Newsmagazine, Since 1999

Himal, (Nepali word for the Himalayas) for many in South Asia and around the world, is a landmark periodical. Who would have thought that an environmental newsletter would evolve into one of the finest regional publications? (Just see a few copies from 1987). Although, over the years the name remained the same, the editor Kanak Mani Dixit, a Columbia School of Journalism graduate (and a St. Xavierite from KTM) shifted the magazine's focus some ten years ago. More and more, HIMAL became somewhat of a SIMAL (Southern Intellectuals' Major Alliance for Likenesses or something like that...). Be assured this acronym is coined by Newslook, not by Kanak Mani (who, no doubt, is known for inventing new terms). Unlike the mainstream media, Dixit's is a journalism with a declared moral stance. His "South Asian" (oops, it's "Southasian" to use Kanak's own term) periodical has turned 20 this month and the greetings are pouring in like monsoon, just as the monsoon is creating havoc in the SA (only a coincidence, perhaps). Many happy returns!

British news outlets continue to have something to say about Nepal in recent weeks. After Louis de Bernières (The Guardian, July 15), it's Isabel Hilton in the same newspaper. Her long piece is critical about Nepal Army Chief of Staff General Rukmangad Katuwal's visit to England. Critics fire back, though, for her "biased views." Interetingly, search the Web site of the UK Ministry of Defense, the host of Katuwal, and there is nothing you can find that proves that Katuwal even visited the UK!
Other recent related coverage
• Nepal army chief’s UK visit stirs fresh row, Gulf News
• Financial woes may force Gurkha war hero to leave UK, Hindu
• Nepal monarchy watch from Britain,
• The greatest threat to peace in Nepal , Guardian
• CoAS Katawal to face human rights questions while in UK, Nepal News

Here is another potential suspension, after only a month or so. Voice of America's Liam Cochrane quotes Ram Pradhan, editor of the Himalayan Times as saying: [the Maoists] are kind of playing games. The media disruption continues, despite the former rebels newfound love for parliamentary democracy and freedom of the press.
Related articles
• Maoists disrupt distribution of two dailies, Hindu
• Maoist Union Stops Distribution of Popular Newspaper in Nepal, VOA
• Alarm in Nepal as Maoists build clout , The Peninsula
• Maoists disrupt distribution of two dailies, Frontline
• Concern Over Maoist Union Strikes, Stratfor

Even as the BBC journalist Alan Johnston is released in Gaza after 4 months of abduction, and a wide press vigilance, less known journalists continue to suffer similar horrors. In Nepal, freelance journalist Prakash Thakuri's whereabouts remain unknown. The pro-monarchist journalsit was kidnapped from his home in Kanchanpur on July 5. The Intl Herald Trib, citing AP, reports that officials received an e-mail Monday night claiming Thakuri had been killed. Read the CPJ report here.
• Gathering Journalists assaulted, threatened over article in Morang, IFEX
• Two journalists beaten by police in Chitwan, RSF
• Journalist beaten, robbed and threatened over article in KTM, IFEX
• Concern over press freedom in Nepal, the Hindu
• Protesting cab drivers attack photojournalist with bricks, IFEX
• In Nepal, journalists kidnapped and threatened , Pinoy Press
• Govt planning to bring code for media: Maoist Minister, Zee
• World press body wants Nepalese journalists protected, New Europe

The "new Nepal" effect is apparent in the old Rising Nepal, too. In that regard, this is an interesting (July 4/07) publishorial by Om Sharma (a pro-Maoist journalist) of, Gorkhapatra Sansthan. The executive chairman says no one will be king or minion in the new dispensation. He announces that with the concepts of new pro-people media, the slogan of a new the Rising Nepal (launched on November 28, 1964 to promote Nepal's equi-distance policy under the Non-Aligned Movement) will now be: autonomy and freedom. The question is who gets to decide what those weighty terms mean and to implement them? Mr. Mahara of the ministry? The autocracy of the ruling alliance? Or the editor himself or herself (not the publisher)? Good talking point for media watchers!
• Efforts on to make Gopa publications people-oriented: Sharma, TRN
• Gathering of Far-west revolutionary journalists, Gorkhapatra
• Media role has incresed in Nepal: Moriarty, VOA
• Press should protect democratic achievement: Sushil, TRN
• Journalists assaulted, threatened over article about police, IFEX
• Nepal media under severe attack, Telegraph Nepal

India, after arresting Nepali journalist Daya Ram Dahal, for more than a month, released him on Friday. This is one example of how the world's largest democracy treats freedom of the press and prosecutes journalists. Dahal was arrested on 29 May (FNJ denounced his arrest) while he was reporting on Bhutanese refugees' "long march" to their homeland via India. Strangely, the news media were relatively mum on Dahal's ordeal.

There are several dozen radio stations in Nepal, but none other makes news as does Sagarmatha, which began as "a pirate radio station" and (the first private FM station in South Asia) in 1997. Jerome Taylor of the UK-based Independent newspaper reports its role after the February 2005 coup. Mohan Bista, the station's chief, tells Taylor that thier role has actually gotten bigger in the new democratic dispensation.
Related:
• Student-run FM station goes international , IJNet, June 13/07
• Radio journalist, station threatened by militant group , IFEX, June 5/07
• Pioneering community radio wins AMARC award, IFEX
• Govt closes down radio station, AMISNET, November 28/05

Journalists attacked. Death threats to journalists. Journalist’s land confiscated. Newspapers burned... IFJ describes it as a “shocking treatment of journalists.” As if that was not enough, a Maoist-affiliated Trade Union has helped make a media history (a bleak one, of course, and not heard of even during King Gyanendra’s absolute rule) by forcing Nepal Samarcharpatra, a major national daily newspaper to suspend its publication over what the newspaper's editor Pushkar Shrestha calls as “unrealistic demands.” Here is a piece condemning the Maoist group, and this one is with reactions from publishers.
• Constant threats, attacks force journalists to qauit, IFJ, June 20/07
• Stop Press, Nepali Times, June 22/07
• Newspaper Closure: Maoist Madness, United We Blog!, June 21/07
• Legal journalism training begins, Gorkhapatra, June 19/07
• Nepal Samachar- patra suspends publication, KoL, June 19/07
• Two newspapers are forced to suspend publication, CPJ, June 21/07
• Parties, FNJ flay interference in Kamana Group, KoL, June 21
• Publishers concerned over suspension, Gorkhapatra, June 21/07
• The karma of Nepali journalists, AsiaMedia, June 7/07
• 'Bad News' Hounds the Media, IPS, April 30/07

This happened before. It turns out that PM Koirala's remark on retaining some form of monarchy was, after all, merely a spin of some journalists.

As soon as the Maoists decried him, Koirala denied making any such comments, but said the Nepali journalists misquoted him, perhaps not understanding his remarks in English. So, now it is upto the Pakistani journalists present there (Are you listening?) to help verify the fact to save face of the Nepali patrakars.

Koirala says it again-- Step down, king.

The latest story is a history in itself. And not just Nepali, but Indian media interest is intense on this. The Hindustan Times reports that for the first time in the history of Nepal, the parliament has passed a bill to put an end to the monarchy.

TOI says the amendment gives the Maoists an opportunity to try oust the king before November by blaming him for the mounting violence in the Terai (read this too for a Hindu connection). Kolkotta's Calcutta Telegraph says now the move is toward a diaper monarch. Just expect more editorials with a diversity of views in the Indian media on this issue.

Here is another huge media event of the year. Bollywood catches up fast with Hollywood. The third season of the Indian version of the reality show "Idol" (Sony TV) has a Nepali competitor, who may well be regarded as south Asia's own Sanjaya!

Prasant Tamang, 24, a police man from Kolkotta, originally from Darjeeling, is fast becoming something of a Nepali icon, media reports say. Watch Prashat YouTube clips here.

The recent NAJAN convention (first ever) in Washington DC managed to bring together a large number of people as well as several dozen journalists. The initiative alone was significant. Despite the presence of a celebrity that is Kiran Chetry, [See photos] the event went largely unreported in the mainstream Nepali media (except for a politically obsessed brief in KoL). Even the so-often touted blogs missed to pass any judgements. If not the perpetually enslaved GM of Gopa or the freest ever Hem Raj Gyawali of Kantipur, one expects more from professioanals like Kunda Dixit or Yuba Raj Ghimire. Blame the social and professional divide among angreji and Nepali patrakars, they may say. In deed, most of the stories on the convention were covered by Girish Pokhrel's own Nepali portion of the website.
• CA poll without fear needed’, KoL.
• A new journey begins, Nepali Post
• Seeking suggestions and guidance, Nepali Post
• Nepali media surge in North America, Nepal Monitor
• Kiran to address journalists meet, Nepal Horizons
• Convention elects Pokhrel as NAJAN president, Nepali Post
• Professional unity for free journalism, Nepali Post
• First convention of Nepali journalists in USA, Nepali Post

This was expected. But now it is public. News outlets report that CNN has replaced Soledad O'Brien and her co-host Miles O’Brien of “American Morning" with Kiran Chetry and John Roberts. This is a major career boost for the Nepal-born Chetry, who was fired by Fox News not long ago and was hired by CNN immediately. PLUS: An interview with Kirani (from Icepicktruth Blog, republished from March 2004)
• Kiran gets American Morning at CNN, Reuters
• Fox chooses Gretchen Carlson over Kiran Chetry as their 'Friend', Reuters
• Fox News blasts Kiran Chetry agent's 'arrogant disregard', Media Bistro
• Unfair to Kiran Chetry, Media Bistro
• Fox News anchor out in contract drama, Hollywood Reporter
• Contract Dispute? Fox Newser Joins CNN,
• Who stays and who goes at FOX News, News Hounds

Political freedom has not delivered media freedom on the ground in Nepal. Not yet. The relative freedom lasted barely 4 months, after the April 2006 revolution. Journalists continue to face more attacks from Maoists and pro-Madhesi factions in the Terai. In fact, some Maoists the other day hurled a bomb at a media office in Biratnagar.
• Journalists under threat, Rising Nepal
• Journalists threatened by anti-govt groups, Daily Times
• FNJ condemns threat against journalists, Asia Media
• Maoists draw flak from FNJ, Rising Nepal
• Violence against press continues in riot-torn south, Reporters Without Borders
• Journalists in south Nepal face increased threats, attacks, Intl Herald Tribune
• Bomb planted at Kantipur media office in Biratnagar, Times of India
• Maoists threaten journalist with death; bomb hurled at Kantipur office,

Some big media interest in Nepal in recent weeks. The latest word from Newsweek (Howdy? long time no hear!) is that Nepal is becoming safe for tourists, but not safe enough. Joe Cochrane, whose report is based on two halfnamed Nepali sources (one tour guide merely known as "Kamal" and another called "Sree," a friend), and a Western analyst (with a full name, of course) writes that for the first time in a decade, the country is enjoying a semblance of peace. Not long ago, the LA Times also broke a long silence, screaming: Nepal is back again as a good travel news!! Had it not been for this piece, LAT's news-sense would have to be challenged. The New York Times, too, displayed such optimism early this month, weeks before Terai killings turned the good news into sour news.
• Mountains and Maoists, Newsweek
• Nepal's reinvention, at warp speed, Los Angeles Times
• Nepal & Katmandu at peace, Los Angeles Tmes
• As political unrest eases, travel picks up, New York Times

Another major onslaught on journalists this past few weeks. Strikers threaten to burn a journalist's home in Sarlahi, even as ARTICLE 19, a press freedom group, said Interim constitution could better guarantee free expression. Meanwhile, in Sunsari, on March 9, MPRF (Madhesi People's Rights Forum) activisits attached Kantipur journalists and vandalized their vehicle. In Nepalgunj, radio journalits of Bageshwori FM, received death threats from a Madhesi politician. Another two journalists in Sunsari also sustained injuries from an attack.
• Journalists in Terai face first challenge after Jana Andolan, News Blaze
• Crime against journalist is unacceptable, Conservative Voice
• Book on journalism during King's emergency rule out, Rising Nepal
• 'No govt policy to control media', Rising Nepal
• 10 years on air, Nepali Times
• The fight for democracy and press freedom in Nepal, Asia Media

Lisa Ling is definitely a role model for many young journalists around the around. Her yet another investigative work (Inside North Korea) is airing tonight on National Geographic Channel's Explorer. Here is the preview. What is significant journalistically about this documentary is that Dr. Sanduk Ruit of Til Ganga apparently conspires with the udercover reporter. This is sure to drag the 2006 Magasay winner into a journalistic controversy.
• Dr. Ruit in North Korea, Beacon Journal
• Inside North Korea, National Geographic
• National Geographic's 'Explorer' takes cameras into North Korea, Southcoast Today
• 'Explorer' reveals N. Korea, Spokesman Review

In these days of Web 2.0 journalism, when youtube and pipeline have revolutionalized online broadcasting, some of Nepal’s leading broadcasters are scaling down their offerings. KTV, for example, tried to make history a year ago when its (highly publicized) news programs (current affairs, too, including Vijay Kumar Pande’s aborted Frontline) became accessible to Web browsers. The initial zeal soon died down and today, KTV is back to pre-Web 1.0 era, except that it has switched to NITV's streaming service, presumably to control content so as to streamline profits. Its news link on its homepage is dead and leads nowhere (although a careful browser may still get to watch news in Nepali). Whatever your motives, let the public know what you are upto.
• SC asks government to provide satellite link to Kantipur TV, Asia Media
• NTV now available in Europe and Gulf countries, Nepal News
• Journalism and Web 2.0, Nieman Reports

Despite the ceasefire and the peace agreement, journalists in Nepal continue to receive death threats from the Maoists and their rights continue to be abused. But such excesses do not deter some journalists. This documentary report (21:09 mins) by the US-based Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) presents an eye-witness chronicles by Aaron Goodman. Guna Raj Luitel, who is described as "the smiling sweet-natured" person, and who is an editor from Kantipur, the country's largest newspaper, accompanied him in his rural reporting trip while the war still raged in 2005.
• IFJ Calls for Protection of Journalists' Rights, Himalayan Times
• Press freedom abuses growing despite peace agreement, Asia Media
• Protect the rights of the journalists, experts say, Asia Media
• PBS Report: Caught in the People's War, PBS
• Two journalists and their families receive death threats, IFEX
• Nepal's Media for War, Oh My News

Whenever the New York Times editorializes, it is as if the world must take it seriously. And, in deed, Newslook does take notice (even after months of hiatus from pithy comments like this one). The big boy in the news business would not cover a “small country” for no good reason. In a rare 256-word editorial, the newspapers’ second such attempt re Nepal since 1990, the Times justifies its editorial as much as the readers’ need to know about the “remote” country on the basis of geopolitics, Maoist rebellion, difficult geography, and a democratic morality. Above all, the newspaper concludes: King Gyanendra has brought this on himself. Perhaps more important—what does such increased frequency of coverage suggest? Has Nepal reached another critical juncture in its excruciating history?
• In Nepal, Death Toll Is 3 as Protests Continue, NYTimes, April 10/06
• Nepalis Attack Police and Invite Arrest, NYTimes, April 7/06
• At Least 66 Killed as Nepal Battles Maoist Rebels in Western District, NYTimes, August 10/05
• Nepal's Human Rights Record Threatens Military Aid, NYTimes, August 9, 05

In recent months, Newslook was almost in recess when it comes to pithy comments— after all that big bang in February. It deserved some break. In fact, there is no dearth of comments and opinions on the issue—the Internet is unprecedentedly replete with a range of views. Now, time to speak up again when your brethrens are under invasion.

The language and spirit of the new media ordinance IS alarming but we all know documents don’t mean much in Nepal’s hukumi bureaucracy. Orals work better than literals. But when the nation’s media leadership is literally under attack, principles begin to matter. The plundering of Kantipur FM shows the true nature of King Gyanendra’s determination.

I love you-- that is Newslook's message to some 40 FM Stations, muffled by the government. Update constantly as I must, I have not had enough sleep for the last 10 days. I wish I could hire some, not all the 1,000 of the journalists. Yet, there is no need to panic. You are still owned by private enterprisees and still exemplify South Asia's up and coming community media. But remember, news is not only about politics. For too long, we overemphasized partisan politics at the expense of social, cultural and economic democracy. That is also the spirit of the new era, whether we like it or not. Even if it means the return of OUR DAYS, such programming should sustain-- if we are to sustain our communities.
• Media fight royal censor, BBC, Feb 05/09
• Iron grip on the media, AsiaTimes, Feb 05/05
• Community empowerment through radio on hold, NepaliTimes, Jan18/09

If the international media do not care about Nepali views; so what? Where there is scoop there is a way to counter the malformed world opinions on the royal coup. The New Zealand-based news release has emerged as a viable alternative to break the monotony and a deafeningly one-dimensional, schizoid take on the Nepali ordeal. Even google, the world's leader in news hyperlinks, Ignore the fact that it considers Nepali Times from North Korea! A propoganda organ of some sort?, should heave a sigh of relief-- it has managed diversity, somehow. Curiously enough, most scoops tend to hail the royal decree. Call them monarchists on the loose, frustrated democrats, independents in people's robes, or what?

All those rights— freedom of press, speech and expression, to assemble peacefully, to privacy and against preventive detention-- enjoyed profusely but seldom responsibly for over a decade, are gone. With a single royal proclamation, the country is back to the Panchayat-like days. Harold Lasswell would not have been happier with the full display of his communicative construct in Nepal today: Who says what to whom via what means with what effect? It is becoming hard to tell truth from half-truth, lies and propaganda. Increasingly, specially on the Internet, the who is anonymous, and the what a ringing “what?” With disinformation on the rise, truth becoming even more illusive, and a feedback impossible, the effects could hardly be constructive. The once-outspoken Kathmandu newspapers have all gone bland. International journalists’ groups, such as the IFJ, RSF and CPJ are concerned with the safety of their Nepali colleagues. CPJ notes, “journalists are now in danger of the kind of heightened abuse by security forces that marked Nepal's last state of emergency.”

• King and army shut down independent press, CPJ, Feb 03/

Here is one of the few balanced stories on the ongoing row over the dumping of Chinese goods in India. Media from the southern neighbor could as well do a good job reporting on the pro and cons rather than bashing Nepal on grounds of smuggling, which is but a side story to the real thing. Story by Anita Narayan. (ChinaOnline)

"Democracy has struck roots and the King will not make the mistake of grabbing power again. But many people don't think democracy is the ideal form of governance. It is a challenge to us to convince them that there is no other way out," says NC leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai in an interview with Hindustan Times, Dec 03/00

The Japanese prize announced Nov 24, went to Nepal Television's Chhaupari (episode 26). Among other big winners: NFB of Canada, NHK of Japan, BBC of UK.

Nepal's market for popular music and computer software has grown rapidly since its early days of 1982. Nepal needs its own CD plant but as yet no one has jumped. Robert Fludd talks to Santosh Sharma of Music Nepal. One To One Magazine, Oct 20/00

BBC changes it infamous question which triggered widespread protests in Kathmandu. BBC's apology may indicate that the Brit media of world rep[f]ute appears to have realized that U.K. could not necessarily become a part of USA because they share similar cultures. However, the original question whether "Nepal would be better off under India's umbrella", and "could Nepal survive" and "should it" speaks volumes about the declining foreign press image of the Nepali Kingdom in recent times.

Bharat Koirala, the man behind some of the innovative media initiatives in Nepal, sees the recent announcement of an FM radio licence for the Kantipur group as against the spirit of the government’s Communication Policy. Opinion in Nepali Times.

The national geographic does cover Nepal on and off. But don't you think the Himalayas deserve to be one of the 50 places of a lifetime? Even if you, National Geographic's Traveler does not. Want to protest?
• See also Rana Tharu: Women of Grace by Eric Valli & Debra Kellner.

CNN's Mary Pflum looks at Nepali artisans finding their niche in cyberspace
Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Former Nepali sex slaves are part of campaign to save victims, reports Calgary Herald, a Canandian news outlet. The story is by Associated Press and is widely picked up by North American news outlets.
• Read this story also in the New York Times, Washington Post, Ottawa Citizen (Canada), Vancouver Sun (Canada), Boston Globe (USA), New Jersey Online, The Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News (USA) and San Jose Mercury News (USA).
• Deccan Herald, 13 July: On guard against flesh trade

In Nepal, there isn’t a digital divide—there’s a clean drinking water divide... the dot-com revolution isn’t about to sweep across this ancient Kingdom, argues Peter Rojas in thealarmclock.com, a culture and technology magazine.If the mushooming of Nepali websites is any indication, shouldn't he be wrong?

Nepal has tremendous market potential for information technology locally and internationally, argues Atmaram Ghimire in Cyber Post.
• Business Age: ISPs scared by telecom giant
• Wired News, 06 July: India In Need of Serious Rewiring