The ongoing obstruction in the distribution of Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post dailies by CPN-Maoist affiliated All Nepal Revolutionary Federation of Trade Union has courted widespread condemnation from media, civil society, political parties and business community.

Deploring the obstruction, they have urged the agitating union to settle the dispute and resume the distribution immediately. In a statement released on Monday,  the Federation of Napalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has deplored the actions of CPN-Maoist affiliated trade union intervening on the people’s right to information guaranted by the constitution. “The FNCCI is firm on its stance that regular works of the enterprises should not be disrupted and any labour-related issues should be solved through mutual discussion,” the statement reads. “The intervention in the media is a breach of  people’s right to information.” Calling the disruption of newspaper distribution unpardonable, the apex body of the business community has demanded the government create a conducive environment for the smooth operation of the media house. Beside Kantipur Publications, the CPN- Maoist-affiliated trade union has also targeted nine other firms—CG Telecommuni-cations, Nabil Bank, Hyatt Hotel, Pashupati Foods, Explore Himalayan Trekking Travels, Himalayan Expedition Ink, Peak Promotion Private Limited, Hari Shiddi Bricks and Tile Factory and Sipradi Trading.

Speaking in Parliament, Nepali Congress lawmaker Dhan Raj Gurung has expressed concern over the obstruction of the dailies by the trade union. Issuing a statement on Monday, Gurung said the union’s move was not only the disruption in a single media house but also the interference in the entire press freedom and democracy. “The infringement in the press freedom and citizens’ right to information should be ended immediately,” he said.

The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has labelled the union’s actions as a threat to the freedom of expression and speech in a democratic society, saying the move had infringed the rights secured by the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2006.

It has appealed the concerned stakeholders to immediately resolve the issue through talks. “NBA appeals the government to find a solution to such activities and problems that threaten the judiciary, press freedom and human rights,” NBA General Secretary Sunil Kumar Pokharel said in a statement.

The Nepal Human Rights Organisation has also termed the union’s actions against the spirit of free press, fundamental of human rights.

Union urged to end stir

kathmandu:  Various organisations of working journalists have urged the CPN-Maoist affiliated trade union to ensure the smooth distribution of the national dailies of Kantipur Publications by ending the obstruction immediately.

Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Nepal Press Union, Press Chautari, Reporters’ Club Nepal, Revolutionary Journalists Association and Revolutionary Journalists Federation have condemned the union for infringing citizens’ rights to information by obstructing the distribution of the dailies.

During an interaction at Reporters’ Club in the Capital on Monday, FNJ President Mahendra Bista said obstructing the distribution and publication of the media in the pretext of labour rights is unfair. “I urge the agitating parties to immediately shun such disruptive activities and resume the distribution,” he said.   

Former president of Nepal Press Union Murari Kumar Sharma suggested the authorities hold talks between media owners, the government and agitating union.  Madhav Nepal, general secretary of the Press Chautari Nepal, said the workers’ demands should be addressed to end the ongoing obstruction. Chairman of Reporters’ Club Nepal Rishi Dhamala called for a conducive environment to maintain the smooth distribution of the dailies.

Casting doubt over the agitation, Chairman of Revolutionary Journalists Association, Govinda Acharya said it might have been done for publicity. Vice-Chairman of Revolutionary Journalists Federation, Deepak Mainali, however, argued regardless of forms of agitation, “the demands of the workers should be met soon.”

Published on: 26 August 2014 | The Kathmandu Post