For past one-and-a-half months, the activities of the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Communication, Press and Publication Labour Union have been creating problems for newspapers. In a democratic set-up, preventing the publication of newspapers for even a day is unbecoming and objectionable. It might be normal for the sister organisations of political parties to make inroads into commercial ventures, but it is not normal to do so in media houses.

The Maoists are involved in the Samacharpatra fiasco-banners extolling Prachandapath have been put up at Kamana Publications, which owns Samacharpatra. The unwillingness or the inability of the Maoists to sincerely address the disturbances casts a shadow on their behaviour.

It is the duty of the Maoist minister who holds the information and communication portfolio to resolve the issue and help create a media-friendly environment. All concerned should help in the exercise of the constitutional right to publish and distribute newspapers freely. The media community and civil society must offer vital support to Kamana Publications' efforts to resume printing its two dailies. Only such a display of solidarity can ensure a free, unrestricted environment for publishing and broadcasting.

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