OneWorld.net (U.S.)

This week, six IFEX members are participating in an international mission to Nepal to draw attention to the serious press freedom and free expression violations that are continuing to occur in the country.

The mission's aim is to support the country's media community and raise concerns with authorities over attacks on journalists. Participating organisations include UNESCO, the International News Safety Institute and the Free Voice foundation. The mission is coordinated by International Media Support (IMS) and organised locally by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists in collaboration with 28 Nepalese organisations.

From 20 to 25 March 2006, the members of the mission will meet with a broad cross-section of the national media community to discuss the press freedom and freedom of expression situation, as well as senior officials to stress the need to respect press freedom and freedom of expression. In addition, the mission will visit three districts in Nepal - Pokhara, Surkhet and Birtamod - and will meet with local civil and army authorities and representatives from the local media in these areas.

On 24 March, a national conference on press freedom will be held in Kathmandu and involve the participation of the international mission.

The IFEX members who are participating in the mission include: ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and the World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC). A representative of the IFEX Clearing House is also on the mission.

Two other IFEX members - the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) - are supporters of the mission.

SOURCE: International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX)

For further information, contact: Thomas Hughes, IMS Deputy Director, tel: +45 32 69 89 89, e-mail: th@i-m-s.dk;

Faruq Faisel, IMS Mission Coordinator, tel: +977 1 449 0063, e-mail: .