October 10, 2026

The Fifth Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), held in Janakpurdham on Ashoj 22 and 23, 2083 BS, has issued this declaration, expressing its firm commitment to continuously struggle for the protection of press freedom and freedom of expression and for the rights and interests of working journalists, recognizing that press freedom is indispensable to federalism, democracy, and citizens’ rights.

1. The meeting expresses serious concern over the dismissal, without valid reasons, of hundreds of journalists working at state-owned media outlets, including Gorkhapatra, Nepal Television, Radio Nepal, and the National News Agency (RSS), as well as attempts to dismiss more journalists, with the apparent intention of restricting press freedom through one-sided news dissemination. The meeting demands the reinstatement of all dismissed journalists and an end to further dismissals. It declares that the Federation will launch a strong struggle for the reinstatement of working journalists if these demands are not met.

2. The Federation declares that it will launch protests against the government's undemocratic conduct of imposing an economic blockade on media outlets—which have made significant contributions to strengthening the democratic system—by cutting the budget for public welfare advertisements and withholding advertisements from government agencies. The meeting also demands that the amount allocated for public welfare advertisements be doubled, as recommended by the Press Council Nepal.

3. The meeting expresses serious objection to the government's failure to appoint leadership to the National Information Commission for an extended period, thereby effectively suspending the right to information itself, despite the Commission's responsibility to ensure the implementation of the right to information as provided for in Article 27 of the Constitution, the Right to Information Act, 2007, and its Regulations. The meeting also draws the government's attention to the need to ensure that citizens' right to information is not obstructed.

4. Nepali media are willing to correct their mistakes, and corrective measures have been undertaken accordingly. The meeting expresses concern over the Press Council Nepal's practice of publicly disclosing such matters through social media in a manner that humiliates media outlets and undermines their morale under the guise of taking action against them. The Federation expresses serious disagreement with such practices by the Press Council.

5. The meeting demands that the concerned media organizations fully implement the agreements reached with the Federation, including the agreement with Ukaalo Online. It also calls on private and community media outlets to immediately pay the minimum remuneration due to working journalists, as many have failed to pay their salaries on the eve of Dashain. The Federation warns that it will launch a strong protest if these demands are not addressed.

6. The meeting expresses objection to the government's failure to renew the registration of online media outlets for an extended period, thereby undermining the Constitution, despite the constitutional provision against the cancellation of registered media outlets. The meeting also strongly demands that the fees charged for the registration and renewal of online news portals be waived, as was the practice in the past.

7. The meeting has decided to hold the Federation's regular General Assembly in Bagmati Province on Mangsir 26–27, 2083 BS (December 12–13, 2026), to conduct broader discussions on issues related to the protection of press freedom and the rights and interests of working journalists, as well as to hold meaningful deliberations on the various challenges faced by journalists.

8. The meeting considers the government's repeated decisions against an independent press to be objectionable and declares that it will intensify dialogue with national and international communities to protect and promote press freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to information in Nepal.

9. The Janakpurdham meeting strongly condemns the Madhesh Province Government's cuts to the budget for public welfare advertisements and the budgets of institutions associated with the province's media sector, including the Mass Communication Authority and the Media Council. The meeting demands that these budget cuts be reversed and that the provincial government increase the allocation for public welfare advertisements by 100 percent.

10. The meeting strongly condemns the government's undemocratic practice of repeatedly governing through ordinances while bypassing Parliament, the supreme institution of elected representatives, in violation of the spirit of the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers. It demands that parliamentary supremacy be upheld.

11. The meeting strongly condemns the government's authoritarian actions of intimidating, threatening, and detaining citizens, civil society members, political rights activists, and media personnel who raise their voices against the government's wrongful policies. It calls on the government to respect freedom of thought and expression and to end such acts of intimidation and detention.

12. The meeting demands that the government fully guarantee the impartiality and independence of the judiciary, immediately end all forms of political interference and pressure on the courts, and uphold constitutional supremacy.

13. Recognizing the Janaki Temple, located in Janakpurdham—the birthplace of the revered figure Sita—as a heritage site of global significance, the meeting welcomes all efforts to secure its inscription on the World Heritage List. However, the Federation considers the use of the name “Ram Janaki Temple” in certain government documents, instead of “Janaki Temple,” to be an attempt to alter a historical and cultural identity. The meeting demands that official government documents be corrected to use the temple's authentic name, “Janaki Temple.” It also supports the local people's demand for a public holiday on Janaki Navami, the birth anniversary of Janaki (Sita).

14. The meeting expresses its heartfelt condolences over the deaths of hundreds of Nepali and foreign nationals caused by the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River, attributed to climate change. It calls on the government to develop a common strategy for the lasting resolution of climate change-related problems.

15. The meeting draws the serious attention of all three tiers of government to the increasingly severe drinking water shortages and agricultural irrigation problems caused by the continued encroachment upon, exploitation of, and illegal extraction of resources from the forests and rivers of the Chure region. It urges the governments to accord the conservation of the Chure region the highest priority and take effective measures.

16. The meeting urges the federal, provincial, and local governments to adopt the campaign “Visit Madhesh, Understand Madhesh” to protect, preserve, and promote Madhesh's distinctive traditions, culture, languages, attire, and historical and cultural identity. It also calls for the development of appropriate strategies and plans to introduce Madhesh to national and international audiences and for their effective implementation.

17. The meeting extends its sincere thanks to the Dhanusha Branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists for hosting the Fifth Plenary Meeting of the FNJ Central Committee, as well as to all agencies, organizations, and institutions concerned for their assistance with logistical and other management arrangements.

Ram Prasad Dahal
General Secretary