KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has expressed serious concern over a recent circular issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers directing all federal ministries, commissions and secretariats, as well as provincial and local governments, to publish and broadcast government information exclusively through state-owned media.
FNJ denounces govt move to ban govt advertisements to private m...
The umbrella organization of journalists across the country has strongly objected to a secretary-level decision to halt government advertisements to private media outlets, many of which are already facing financial strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Gen Z movement. It has demanded that the decision be immediately withdrawn.
In a statement issued by its General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal, the FNJ warned that the move could force private media outlets to shut down, jeopardising the livelihoods of working journalists. It further stated that the decision risks fostering a climate of press censorship, undermining independent journalism that serves as the voice of the voiceless.
The FNJ also urged the government to revoke the decision, stating that it contradicts constitutional guarantees of full press freedom, as well as the principles of a liberal economic policy and federalism.
Rejecting what it described as an attempt to control the independent press and impose an information monopoly, the FNJ warned that it would be compelled to launch protests in coordination with the broader media sector if the decision is not reversed.
