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Alert

Maoist-aligned trade union federation interfering in two FM stations

(FNJ/IFEX) - The FNJ, the Save Independent Radio Movement (SIRM), the Broadcasting Association of Nepal, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and the Kathmandu Valley FM Broadcasters' Forum have expressed serious concern over Maoist threats to Kalika FM in Chitwan and Radio Birgunj in Parsa.

The Maoist-aligned All Nepal Trade Union Federation issued a letter on 12 May 2006 accusing the two FM radio stations of exploiting their respective staffs, dismissing staff without reason, extreme excesses and mental torture of the staff, with the support of the royal authorities. The trade union federation has presented a 14-point demand asking for proper payment, re-instatement and compensation for fired personnel, various allowances and fixed working hours, among other things. It has also demanded the immediate termination of the Kalika FM station director, alleging him to be a pro-royalist.

FNJ has issued a press statement urging the All Nepal Trade Union Federation not to create unnecessary pressures on an organization or a person and not to obstruct the performance of their professional duties by imposing threats. The release also clarified that the FNJ is committed to the welfare of working journalists and is seriously discussing the issues raised by the trade union group with the concerned bodies.

According to "The Kathmandu Post", the SIRM Central Struggle Committee released a statement on 13 May urging the Maoists and the All Nepal Trade Union Federation to understand that threats, force and imposition of ideas are not appropriate ways to lead Nepal's radio movement and that radio stations are capable of solving the problems they face on their own.

"We cannot accept their proposition to solve problems through struggle rather than through discussion," the statement said, adding that due to financial difficulties, the radio stations are unable to solve certain problems at the moment despite sincere intentions to do so. In the statement, the radio stations and broadcasters' organisations also demanded that the Maoists revoke the threatening letters they sent the radio stations.