KATHMANDU, Dec 1: Nepal Media Society (NMS) has urged the Election Commission (EC) to respect the media's right to publish and broadcast advertisement.

Issuing a press statement on Thursday, the umbrella organization of broadsheet newspapers and Television Broadcasters Nepal (TBN) asked the government not to infringe upon their rights to publish advertisements. “We would like to urge all the bodies concerned not to question the media's right to publish/broadcast advertisement,” the NMS said in a statement. “Advertising is not only the lifeline of the media but also its fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution.”

The NMS issued the statement in response to the Election Commission (EC)'s recent call that discouraged dissemination of political advertisements, saying that it would constitute violation of the election code of conduct. This came in the wake of the political parties taking to the print and digital media to introduce their election manifestos and election campaign-related activities to woo voters.
 
The NMS also urged all print and electronic media not to disseminate any news that would violate people's fundamental right to information, and impinge on the sovereignty and national integrity. 

 
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