Nepal's king uses media to seek edge over rebels

The Associated Press
Friday, March 18, 2005

KATMANDU, Nepal After King Gyanendra seized power on Feb. 1, his government censored the media, arrested journalists and closed down newspapers. Now the government is using the media as a propaganda tool in its fight against the country's Maoist rebels.

State-run media said this week that Maoist insurgents had expelled their deputy commander in a power struggle, suggesting there was a split in the outlawed group that has been fighting since 1996 to establish communist rule in Nepal.

Government officials had ordered privately run newspapers to publish stories citing the Royal Nepalese Army as a source. The government-run Gorkhapatra newspaper carried headlines in red and purple saying: "Crucial division in the Maoists - Dr. Baburam Bhattarai expelled."

Newspapers and television networks ignored a denial by the rebel group's spokesman, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who accused the government of using "divide-and-rule" tactics against the rebels. "We urge everyone not to be taken in by the conspiracy and false information against our campaign, leaders, supporters and activists," Mahara said in a statement Wednesday.

After King Gyanendra, a constitutional monarch, seized power, he dismissed the cabinet, imposed emergency rule and suspended civil liberties. The king says he was forced to act because of the insurgency, and he has ignored repeated international calls to restore democracy.

Since then, Maoist rebels and the army have issued separate statements almost daily, claiming victories on the battle front. Government claims are quickly disseminated through state-run television, radio and newspapers. The rebels have no such access to media.

Several journalists have been arrested since Feb. 1, and government censorship has forced newspapers to shut down. Journalists have repeatedly been threatened by the authorities. During the first days of the seizure, soldiers were stationed in private newspapers and television stations to approve news materials.
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