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Nepal radio station to defy government

Nepal's royal government said yesterday it was moving to shut down a private radio station that defied a ban on broadcasting news.

Nepal FM joined other private radio stations in broadcasting reports several times over the past month, despite a ban imposed by King Gyanendra after he seized absolute power on Feb. 1.

The Ministry of Information and Communication has given Nepal FM a week to appeal the shutdown.

The station was defiant.

"We aired news yesterday and we will air news today and tomorrow. We will take to the streets and seek legal options to challenge the government action," said Bishnuhari Dhakal, managing director of the station.

The station had first aired news about the king's birthday celebrations on July 7, and stuck to government announcements, weather forecasts and information about festivals.

It was not clear if other stations that defied the order would be punished.

A spokesman for the Save Independent Radio Movement, formed by the protesting stations, said they would protest the government action and file a petition in court.

"This violates the rights given by the Constitution and governing laws. It also violates previous rulings by the Supreme Court allowing private radio stations to broadcast news," said Ghamraj Luitel, spokesman for the movement.

Press freedoms have been curtailed since the king took complete control of the country, saying the step was necessary to quell a communist insurgency. Criticism of the monarch, the government and security forces has also been banned.

Since the king's takeover, several journalists have been arrested for reasons including criticizing the government and sympathizing with the rebels.
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