KATHMANDU, April 7: The Nepal Media Society (NMS) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a circular issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers that directs all government notice advertisements to be published only through state-owned media.
The NMS said the move undermines press freedom, citizens’ right to information, and the spirit of the Constitution. It warned that the circular could make media rights under the Public Procurement Act and Article 19 of the Constitution ineffective and may lead to job losses among journalists and media workers.
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Describing the decision as “directive-driven,” the NMS said it threatens the media ecosystem, including advertising agencies, and could destabilize the market. It added that introducing such a policy without stakeholder consultation worsens existing challenges.
The NMS urged the government to revoke the circular, calling it contrary to constitutional guarantees, liberal economic principles, and the spirit of federalism.