Govt pressures Kantipur FM station KOL Report KATHMANDU, Oct 21 - In what appears to be a direct and unconcealed move to muzzle the media, government authorities confronted Kantipur FM radio station today to force it to follow the recently promulgated media ordinance. A three-member delegation of the Ministry of Information and Communications entered the Kantipur FM building this afternoon within hours after journalists held a protest rally against the 'black ordinance' in Kathmandu. "The officials came at around 4:30 this afternoon with two separate letters asking the station to follow the ordinance," said Narayan Wagle, editor of the Kantipur daily. Wagle said, at the time of the officials' entry into the building, that there was a strong security presence around the FM station. Though the government officials left the station premises at around 8 p.m. this evening, the security men are reported to be still present. The officials left the station's premises after being unable to take any action against the station as the management asked them to furnish written orders. Immediately afterwards the FM station was surrounded by security personnel. Various political leaders including CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Chairman of People's Front Nepal Amik Sherchan, journalists and human rights defenders reached the FM station to express solidarity. Nepal said, "This is a blatant aggression upon the media." Similarly, Amik Sherchan, voicing his concern said, "The people will not tolerate this kind of unconstitutional move." Likewise, Nepal Bar Association has also expressed deep concern over the government's direct intervention on the media's right to broadcast news. The media ordinance, which was promulgated by King Gyanendra on Oct 9, has drawn widespread criticism from national and international media rights groups. (dds/hb)