Date: October 2, 2026

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has taken serious note of the government’s decision to pay newspapers at the existing rates for publishing Public Welfare Advertisements until the month of Ashoj 2083.

Although the notice issued by the Advertising Board in this regard is partially welcome, the FNJ expresses its objection that the demands have not been fully addressed.

Therefore, the FNJ once again strongly demands the immediate repeal of the Procedure Relating to the Publication of Public Welfare Advertisements for Print Media (First Amendment), 2083, which was formulated through an arbitrary decision aimed at weakening the print media without any scientific basis or reason and without even holding adequate consultations with stakeholders. The FNJ further demands that any new arrangement be introduced only with the consent of the stakeholders.

The FNJ also demands the immediate implementation of the recommendations repeatedly made by the Press Council Nepal to maintain only a difference of NPR 500 in the payment of Public Welfare Advertisements published by newspapers at the national, provincial and local levels, and to double the payment amount.

The FNJ is hopeful that the Ministry of Information and Communications will address the demands through dialogue, discussion and consensus. Otherwise, the FNJ informs that its movement will be further intensified.

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Ram Prasad Dahal
General Secretary