Date: September 30, 2026

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) is deeply concerned by the press statement issued in the name of the Press Council Nepal targeting former Central Audit Committee Coordinator of the Federation, Dipak Pandey, without taking into consideration the fact that a discussion was held between the Federation of Nepali Journalists and Press Council Nepal on October 13, 2083, to seek a solution to the problems faced by self-reliant print media outlets across the country following the reduction of welfare advertisements by up to half, during which there was a verbal exchange between the two sides and the meeting ultimately ended on cordial terms.

The Federation believes that members of the Council who were not even present in the discussion making such a one-sided public statement in the name of the Council, which had agreed to resolve the issue, not only undermines the reputation of the Council itself, which is entrusted with a guardian role for the media and journalists, but also raises questions about its role as a balanced institution.

The FNJ Kathmandu Branch stated that the Council issued a public statement targeting an individual by exaggerating a minor verbal exchange that took place during the discussion between representatives of the FNJ, representatives of the Print Media Promotion Suggestion Task Force, and the Chairperson of the Council.

The FNJ Central Committee expresses solidarity with the branch's view that questions have arisen as to whether the one-sided statement issued under the joint signatures of four Council board members who were absent from the discussion, at a time when the issue had already been resolved through dialogue, was an institutional statement of the Council or not.

The Federation draws the attention of the concerned parties to withdraw the individual-targeted statement issued in the name of the Council, a dignified and balanced institution, and to create a conducive environment for further dialogue.

……………….

Ram Prasad Dahal
General Secretary