Cracks in Press Supression

Love it, the Kathmandu Post (my heroes) made what is probably the first mention of human rights and press freedom today. They had been relegated to writing blisteringly satirical articles about socks. Also, there were oblique references to supporting the political parties and a front page photo of an alcohol-related auto accident: a none-to-subtle reference to prince Paras's driving habits.

Consider this quote from the Nepali Times Feb. 11-17 edition that started out as a rather benign article on trees:

True, Kathmandu’s poplars and eucalyptus are imports and that they do not have the strength of indigenous varieties. But the fact is that they have provided cover and beauty for a long time now. They have become our own, like so many other exotic species that dot the landscape. It is said that these imports are vulnerable to strong winds due to loose root structures but our analysis shows that the maligned arbours have not been guilty of destruction to the extent that they have to be done away with. All in all, the trees should not have been axed. Because the damage has been done, can we ask the concerned authority to promptly correct the move and bring back greenery?

The references are unmistakable. The Nepali Congress party symbol is the tree. Exotic species and winds refers to the communist based philosophy like the CPN-UML (not Maoist) and the tendency of all the parties towards corruption.

For you browsers of Nepal news: FIND THE CODES like this one on Nepal news sites- I'll put them up here on the main posting area-watch this space! -=blogdai

The Kathmandu Post, Kunda Dixit and the Nepali Times, and even more so, the Federation of Nepali Journalists are writers with some of the biggest cojones on the planet-know it. -=blogdai