The Center for Media Research- Nepal launched Pradesh Ma Media (प्रदेशमा मिडिया or Media in Province) in a program organized in Kathmandu on May 2 marking the World Press Freedom Day 2022.
The book provides information about the status and situation of media in seven provinces of Nepal. The data book is based on the secondary sources data from different government and non- government institutions.
The book states that there are 3,120 online news media and 4,789 newspapers enlisted in Press Council Nepal, 880 FM radios and 164 TV stations registered in Department of Information and Communication and 13,077 journalists member of Federation of Nepali Journalists.
Speaking at the event, Professor P Kharel said that integrated data was necessary to understand the state of media at the federal, provincial, and local levels. He said that it was helpful to examine the multilateral dimension of media.
President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Bipul Pokhrel said that data was most important aspect to identify problems and develop plans and strategy. Pokhrel said that the data book could help in the development of policies at the different governing bodies of Nepal.
Pokhrel also outlined the trend where journalists at the local levels have failed to develop critical media content. He accused the local government’s engagement in silencing the press in exchange of advertising.
Jhabindra Bhusal, Chief Administrative Officer of Press Council Nepal said uniformity in the data provided by different government agencies is lacking and emphasized for the need to develop integrated data system. He said that works on digitization of media related data was necessary as Press Council still continues to work in manual system.
Speaking at the occasion, Rewati Sapkota, Communication Registrar of Bagmati Province said that steps has to be taken by the federal government for overall data management and digitization of media related data in Nepal. Sapkota emphasized the need of coordination between the different provinces and federal government with respect to developing an integrated data system.
Chairperson of CMR-Nepal, Trishna Acharya said that book was published with the objective of providing information on integrated data and current status of media in Nepal.
The book at available for free at CMR-Nepal (hard-copy) and in our Research and Publication section to download (soft-copy).
