Jobs of over 1,000 radio journalists in Nepal have come under threat as a result of the censorship on independent media by the royal government after the imposition of emergency in the country.

The scribes, including 500 newsroom staff and an equal number of reporters, working in over 40 FM stations across the country, are facing layoffs.

The government has issued a notice saying that private radios can only broadcast entertainment programmes. They cannot air news, comment and opinion, The Kathmandu Post, which also runs an FM station, said.

"We have become jobless after the government cracked down on independent press," said a reporter at Kantipur FM, affiliated to The Kathmandu Post.

Five to seven army personnel were deputed inside the newspaper office after the emergency was imposed on February 1, he said on condition of anonymity.