KATHMANDU, April 2: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Kathmandu chapter, has strongly condemned a recent government decision to channel all public procurement-related notices exclusively through state-owned media, calling it a direct attack on press freedom and an attempt to weaken independent journalism.
Issuing a press statement on Tuesday, the FNJ Kathmandu chapter said the directive, released by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers following a decision on March 31, seeks to prevent private media outlets from publishing or broadcasting public procurement notices. The federation warned that such a move would have serious implications for media plurality and the financial sustainability of independent news organisations.
Describing the decision as “intolerable and condemnable,” the FNJ said it goes beyond a mere policy lapse and reflects a “deliberate strategy” to economically undermine private and independent media. “This is not just a regulatory issue; it is an orchestrated attempt to bring independent media under control and eventually force them out of operation,” the statement read.
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The FNJ further argued that restricting government advertisements and information to state-run outlets amounts to an effort to monopolise information flow, which it said is contrary to democratic norms. “Such actions choke independent media, curtail citizens’ right to information, and strike at the heart of pluralism,” the statement added.
The journalists’ body also warned that the move signals an “authoritarian mindset,” accusing the government of trying to evade scrutiny and silence critical voices by limiting access to public information and advertising revenue.
The FNJ Kathmandu chapter has demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the decision. It cautioned that failure to reverse the directive would prompt strong protest programmes, with journalists across the country prepared to launch coordinated resistance against any interference in press freedom.
The FNJ also vowed to expose what it termed “repressive and anti-democratic policies” at the national level and held the government accountable for any consequences arising from the escalating dispute.
The controversy comes amid growing concerns within Nepal’s media sector over declining revenues and increasing pressure on independent outlets. Media stakeholders warn that restricting public advertisements—one of the key revenue sources for many organisations—could push several private media houses toward closure.
Reiterating its stance, the FNJ declared: “Interference in the press is unacceptable; resistance is inevitable.”
