This is Moist press freedom

A group of Maoist related workers today refused to distribute Annapurna Post and The Himalayan Times, two of leading daily newspapers of Nepal.

This is the third attack Nepali newspapers have faced from the Maoists - first there was a scuffle in Kantipur, then the same problem was created in Nepal Samachar Patra. It came to the climax today morning there. It was nice to see the scene - piles of newspapers were spread in front of the office and some 10-20 cycle-boys, fed with Maoiis brain-washing were challenging the whole information system. And bichara journalists and other staffers were distributing the newspapers to the passersby and others free of cost. God knows, how long it can go.

We all know, those poor cycle-boys are not to be blamed. They are all directed by the Maoist leadership. The news in The Himalayan Times says they could not contact Mahara and Dr. Bhattarai. This clearly shows the picture, who is behind this problem.

It is clear that the Maoists do not want free media here in Nepal. They wan to pamper Gorkhapatra, which has already become a mouthpiece of the Maoists. And they are doing all these thing so that other big newspapers either have to die or have to surrender to the Maoists authority. It is sad there is no harmony between what the Information Minister said and what he has asked the workers to do.

Indeed this very incident shows what the Maoists are going to do for the free press. It is not only a matter of the newspapers but also of the whole population because it will hamper their right to information. Watch out, this is the time for all to say no to suppression on media. The journalists have defied even the king's control what is this Mahara?