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Nepal Ban on Radio Stations Lifted

FM radio stations - banned last month under a controversial media law in Nepal - can once again broadcast news. Reports indicate that Nepal`s Supreme Court made the interim ruling ahead of a final verdict in the case. The law has been widely criticized for stifling the independent media.

The radio stations are a critical source of information as more than a third of Nepal`s population is illiterate. Authorities counter that the radio stations encourage Maoist revolts, and say the law is intended to make journalism dignified and responsible. A number of separate petitions against the media law are still pending in court.

Following the king`s seizure of power in February, he cracked down on critics. The media law not only banned news broadcasts, but it also outlawed criticism of the king and his family in addition to increasing penalties for defamation.