Year: माघ २८, २०७७

The year 2020 was unprecedented. The coronavirus pandemic severely affected all walks of life, including the media and journalism. Nepal was no exception and experienced the same predicament owing to the lockdown and mobility restrictions. Consequently, the media and journalists were sternly constrained from upholding their watchdog role by accessing information, gathering news in the field and working in the newsroom. In such a dismal situation, no public policy or programme was introduced to rescue the Nepali media and normalise the everyday performance of journalists. Instead, the government’s hostile actions further weakened the media.

Most of the businesses that provided advertisements to various media outlets were shut due to the pandemic. The Advertising Association of Nepal estimated that approximately 80 percent of the revenue was lost in print media, 70 percent in radio and television, and 45 percent in online news portals. For the first time since 1990, the Nepali media struggled to survive due to the advertisement loss.

To cope with this extraordinary situation, many media houses suspended or closed their media outlets and downsized their employee numbers. At least 18 broadsheet newspapers published from the capital city suspended their print publications and resumed after weeks and months with limited coverage and circulation. Some shifted to a digital-only format, adjourning their print publications, and some others were closed forever. Several radio and television channels slashed their productions and broadcasting owing to the increased restrictions on the mobility of journalists and a hostile working environment in the newsroom.

A situation assessment report of Freedom Forum Nepal revealed that at least 3,190 journalists across the country lost their jobs, and thousands of others worked at a lower wage or without pay. The condition of journalists affiliated to various local and regional media houses in different districts was even worse. Many of these victim journalists organised protest programmes against their media houses for their rights as per the Working Journalists Act, but their endeavours were mostly unsuccessful. The Federation of Nepali Journalists and other media stakeholders urged media houses to stop job cuts, work without pay or underpayment, and requested governments to provide special relief packages to journalists and media houses. The government, however, turned down such requests since officials were aggressive and intimidating towards the media and journalists for their critical coverage relating to corruption and mishandling of the Covid-19 crises.

Silencing criticism

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and some of his Cabinet ministers constantly attacked the media and journalists for their critical reporting against the government’s inadequate efforts in handling the coronavirus-related crisis in the country. There were several reports published against the government’s involvement in corruption when purchasing medical aids or disregarding people stranded on the Indo-Nepal border for months without basic support. After one such report about stranded workers walking for up to 15 hours a day to reach home, Oli blamed journalists and the news media for orchestrating the news content to defame the government mechanism because he had not received such information from local government agencies. Oli further warned his party leadersto maintain their distance from media persons for ‘not leaking sensitive information’ and maintaining the confidentiality of government activities and strategies.

Journalists across the country were threatened and intimidated on different dates during the lockdown for giving unpleasant and critical coverage of the government’s involvement in financial and policy corruption, and failure to handle the consequences of the stay-home order. One of the severe intimidations against the free press was observed when a published article of the Kathmandupress.com was removed on April 2 by an alleged involvement of the prime minister’s IT advisor. The removed article was about the involvement of senior government officials in purchasing expensive medical equipment for coronavirus treatment from China.

Prior to this incident, Kosmos Biswokarma, editor of the news portal, had received multiple phone calls from different sources requesting him to remove the article because of immense pressure from ‘above’. The Federation of Nepali Journalists and editors of different news media condemned the unauthorised removal of the published article as a very serious incident against the free press guaranteed by the constitution. The article was eventually reinstated after two days, but no serious inquiry from any government agency was made to stop this sort of future interference in media content.

During this period, the role of Press Council Nepal was debated for its supposed involvement in silencing government criticism on digital platforms. Following the council’s recommendations on different dates, at least 121 online news portals were either closed or blocked in Nepal for their supposed role in promoting misinformation and fake news about the coronavirus and government efforts. Media stakeholders, including Freedom Forum Nepal, criticised the council’s role in obstructing online portals as an intervention against constitutional guarantee in the name of making the press accountable.

The government also mobilised various pro-government political factions and actors to run hundreds of bogus social media accounts for attacking or harassing journalists for their critical coverage about government performance. Some social media actors were rewarded with high-level governmentappointments merely for defending the government’s inabilities and inactions. Using all these tactics, the government tried to stop or minimise media criticism of official agencies and leaders of the ruling party by threatening and spreading fear among journalists.

Watchdog role

From the press freedom perspective, the year witnessed the devastating impact on the media and journalism, gravely weakening their watchdog function to make the government accountable to the public. While the consequences of Covid-19 severely limited journalistic practices and undertakings of press freedom, the government’s aggressive and hostile activities to silence media criticism against its responses in handling the pandemic was ubiquitous. The government, rather, seemed willing to see the media and journalism section become weaker and less able to uphold its watchdog roles.

Furthermore, media houses were not found accountable for implementing the Working Journalists Act (2007) nor showing empathy to journalists and their families on humanitarian grounds during such an unprecedented time. The pandemic helped us comprehend that the Nepali media was more fragile financially, professionally and institutionally than it was assumed to be as one of the robust industries thriving since 1990 in terms of quantity, variety and coverage.

The issue of clean feed provision that has been raised by the advertisement professionals in Nepal for about past 12 to 15 years has finally been implemented by the government by bringing the Advertising Regulation Act, 2076 .

Clean Feed Implementation
Foreign channels aired in Nepal after 2020 October 23 will have to broadcast only after observing the clean feed provision. The foreign channels are not allowed to air their advertisements in the country. Earlier, in the absence of such a powerful legal act, cable operators distributing foreign channels in Nepal and foreign broadcasters’ organisations mobilised their high diplomatic and political channels to force the authority to put on hold the clean feed policy for long.
What the government has realised is that strong laws are needed to implement the clean feed provision. And effective implementation is also the reason why the Advertising Regulation Act requires foreign channels broadcasting in Nepal to operate by observing the clean feed and Nepali channels are not allowed to play even by dubbing foreign advertisements in the Nepali language. The authority has now developed mechanisms to monitor the channels whether they are following the government’s policy on the clean feed provision.
This policy is not an issue about nationalism only, but it is needed for Nepal where the consumers have been suffering due to the double standards of foreign channels. The policy of showing advertisements and charging money from consumers has affected Nepal’s economy and foreign exchange reserves.
Moreover, the owners of Indian multinational companies did not waive the advertisement fees saying that most of the viewers in Nepal watch Indian television channels are not interested in watching Nepali channels. The Indian channels have been adding the amount of advertising fee for Nepali consumers.
The money allocated for such advertisements seemed to be received by Indian advertising agencies, Indian artists and technicians, where the Nepalis would be charged expensive advertising fees. Also, the Indian rites and culture received free publicity in Nepal. They also do advertise expensive Indian products that do not suit the Nepali environment and soil.
Not only does clean feed measurers demand time, but it can also make a long-term contribution to the economy.

Advertising Market Expansion
After the implementation of the Cleanfeed Policy, Nepal’s advertising market seems to be gradually expanding. Currently, advertisements broadcast on foreign channels should be broadcast on Nepali television channels. And the owners and advertising agencies of Indian foreign multinational companies have to come looking for Nepali media to broadcast their advertisements in Nep
Currently, the share of advertisements of foreign multinational companies in Nepali television channels broadcasting in Nepal seems to be very low. Thus, if foreign multinational companies are allowed to broadcast the channel in Nepal by advertising on foreign channels, the advertising revenues for the Nepali channels go down due to which Nepali channels are not
only unable to provide good programmes and presentations but also cannot compete with foreigners.
Now that the policy has been implemented in Nepal, the advertisements currently being broadcast on foreign channels will come to Nepali channels, which will allow companies to set aside advertising fees for Nepali television channels. And as Nepali channels having large audiences and good quality media outlets get foreign advertisement, the income and standard of our media will also improve.

Revenue Boost
While the government of Nepal has published a notice in the Nepal Gazette and issued a circular stating that the national-level media and other media outlets should pay the minimum wage to the working journalists and employees working in their organisations, some media outlets failed to do so due to lack of income.
Now that the Nepali media has been shut down for 2-4 months, there may not be any loss of employment and even the media operators may not have to relieve their employees and journalists following the long lockdowns.
At first, it may seem that the clean feed policy is contributing to the sports arena, but in the long run, it could have a big impact on the sports arena. Yes, multinational companies do not hesitate to advertise their goods in any field. Now after the implementation of this provision in the country, television channels including Sony and Star should do cricket and football broadcast live without airing advertisements. If the Nepali television conducts the live airing of cricket and football matches, they can air Nepali advertisements which can swell their incomes.
Even in Nepal, there is no shortage of internationally recognised and internationally recognised organisations and business houses can sponsor our players and sports disciplines. As a result, the number of sports events and standard of players will also increase, which will lead to employment, income and tax profits. Sports organisers and players will file taxes under various headings which can contribute to employment in the country and boost Nepal’s economy and the level of Nepali sports.
The clean feed policy and entertainment sector are closely related. Nepal’s entertainment and film market share is very small. Nepali entertainment and film industry doe not receive higher priority because the sector contributes very little to the country’s economy.
Now that foreign channels broadcasting in Nepal are not allowed to play advertisements. The Nepali televisions, media and Nepali artists can benefit a lot because the Nepali channels need to air foreign advertisements in the Nepali language. The good multinational companies may enter in the Nepali market to advertise their goods and products by using the services of the Nepali media outlets.
Foreign multinational companies, advertisers and operators will come to Nepal. They have to stay here to study the market and consumers interests in their products.
This will increase the income and employment opportunities of those working in the tourism and trekking sectors. The livelihood of the dependents of people working in the tourism sector. It can be said that the share of the tourism sector in the economy will not be limited to only two per cent.

Promotion of Nepali Culture
Before the provision of clean feed was implemented, foreign channels used to broadcast only their culture and fashion from the country-friendly religion and culture. But now the advertisements aired in Nepal will become suitable for the Nepali soil and environment.
Indian Rocky Point-on-Lehenga and Indian women’s outfits may not affect the Nepali market. The new policy on the media advertisements will allow Nepali carpet and garment industries to flourish, which will further help boost our foreign exchange reserves and employment opportunities.
The clean feed policy is the only viable tool that can make a qualitative and positive impact on the overall sector of Nepal and take the country to the forefront of development. The success and full implementation of this policy are therefore necessary to strengthen overall media sector of the nation.

(The writers works at the Ministry of Communication and Informations Technology. Email: [email protected]) 

The data related to news media are important for advertisers, news media and the public. Due to this, many countries have mechanisms to collect such data and make them public. These data are helpful for making sense of the condition of the news media sector. The public access to these data is a way to make news media more “transparent”. What kinds of data related to news media workers, audiences and revenue are easily available in Nepal?

Media workers
No organisation makes the data related to the total workforce of news media organisations public in Nepal; the publications and websites of a few organisations provide us some data. The website of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) mentions that it has 13, 264 members. Likewise, sometimes reports prepared by the Minimum Wage Committee include some data related to journalists working in different media organisations. For example, its 2018-2019 report mentioned the total number of journalists working in few online media. According to this report, some 100 journalists worked in Onlinekhabar.com. Though these numbers give us a sense of journalists working in news media in Nepal, the datasets don’t give the total picture of media workers.
It means we don’t have detailed information on the journalists working in newspapers, radios, televisions and online media.  Similarly we don’t know how many people are working in printing presses in these newspapers. And we don’t know the total workforce of the news media sector.
The data we have about the audience of private newspapers are self-claimed. Often private newspapers don’t disclose the data about their audiences; few ones mention such data on their websites. For example Kantipur Publications claims that the circulations of Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post are 453,000 and 95,000. However many insiders don’t believe the data as they think the numbers are inflated. Similarly Press Council Nepal also regularly collects the data related to the circulation of newspapers. Many newspapers provide such data to the council for their classification. Often these data are not made public. In fact as critics have pointed out such figures are not vetted.  Yet, one can know the circulation of the publications of “public news media”, Gorkhapatra Corporation through yellow books.
In comparison to newspapers, media owners cannot easily know the number of audiences of their radio stations and television channels. So often radios and televisions mention their coverage and the area where the signal is available. For example, Radio Kantipur claims its coverage is 75 per cent over Nepal, but these data do not tell us about the number of actual listeners who listen to the radio. Though signals are available, people may not listen to the radio station. Similarly, the website of Nepal Television claims that its reach is over 72 per cent of the population with terrestrial reach over 50 per cent of the landmass in Nepal”. The website does not cite any research for this data.
Though in digital media, the exact data on the audience can be collected; such data are not easily made public. There is also a trend of citing the traffic analysis provided by websites like Alexa.com, but insiders know that the traffic can be boosted by paying certain fees to the website.
So, we need better data about news media audiences in Nepal. Though Sharecast Initiative Nepal has been doing media surveys for a few years, its main focus is to know which kinds of media are popular in Nepal. For example, Nepal Media Survey 2020 conducted with a sample of size 4,832 found that respondents regularly using radios, televisions, newspapers/magazines and the internet are 59 per cent, 61 per cent, 32 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively.

Revenue
We do not know the revenue of private news media organisations as they do not need to make public its revenue. So even media workers don’t know the income and expenses of the organisations where they work. During my fieldwork for the doctoral research on the digital transition of Nepali newspapers my informant in Gorkhapatra Corporation raised an issue of ‘lack of transparency’ in private media organisations. They told me that the Inland Revenue Department felicitated Gorkhapatra Corporation for paying the highest tax in 2015 in the category of publishers.  They inquired how that could be possible when there were other publishing organisations which did more transactions than the corporation.
Thus, the access to the data related to the revenue of private news media organisations is not easy. Only in case of “public media” organisations can we know their revenue. We get the data about the revenue of Gorkhapatra Corporation, Radio Nepal, Nepal Television, and Rastriya Samachar Samiti by going through the yellow books.
We need an Audit Bureau of Circulation jointly formed by the news media sector, advertisers, and advertising agencies. In fact National Mass Communications Policy 2016 has envisaged such a mechanism but it has not been established. It will collect the data related to audiences of news media such as print, radio, television and online. These data will be helpful for advertisers to select appropriate media.
We can have a voluntary mechanism of making the financial statement of news media organisations public. This can be done on the occasion of their anniversary. It is important for at least two reasons. First, both media workers and the public will know the economic condition of the organisations. Second, this will make news media organisations more “transparent”.

(Maharjan is a senior researcher at an academic NGO, Martin Chautari, and writes on issues related to media and technology.)