Urban Unrest

27 November 2006 | Business | Ernesto Aguilar

Radio Sagarmatha, the pioneering Kathmandu-based community radio broadcaster, has been awarded the AMARC International Solidarity Prize 2006 in recognition of its outstanding work in defence of human rights and democracy in Nepal.

The AMARC International Solidarity Prize, which is awarded every four years, as presented to Radio Sagarmatha at a ceremony in Amman, Jordan on the occasion of the Ninth World Conference of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC 9).

Radio Sagarmatha, launched in 1997, is the first independent community radio broadcaster to be established in South Asia. It has led the way in opening up the airwaves in Nepal. On 1 February 2005, when King Gyanendra of Nepal declared a state of direct rule, Radio Sagarmatha and other independent radio stations in Nepal were occupied by armed soldiers who enforced a ban on all news programming.

Throughout the period of direct rule, Radio Sagarmatha and other independent radio stations, grouped together in the Save the Independent Radios Movement, pushed the boundaries of Royal decree and military restriction. Through on air campaigns, street protests and judicial proceedings they remained on air, regained the right to broadcast news and information and made a pivotal contribution to the defence of human rights and in the eventual restoration of democracy in 2006.

The AMARC International Solidarity Prize was accepted in Amman by Mohan Bista, Durga Karki and Raghu Mainali on behalf of all of the independent radios in Nepal.

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