The Nepali print media is young, though the first Nepali newspaper “Gorakhapatra” started publishing from 1901 A. D. And it is very vibrant, in spite of the difficulties created by the political fluidity. The constitution of Nepal (1990) guarantied the press and publication right. After 1990 media underwent rapid transformation by the adaptation of communication policies and law.Interim constitution of Nepal (2007) ensured the right to freedom and guarantees the rights regarding publication, broadcasting and press (Interim Constitution 2063).
- Pre – 1990 situation:Before the restoration of democracy, there were few print Medias and most of them were state owned. The state owned Medias glorified the royal family and failed to carry the critical comment and analysis. Some privately owned weekly political newspapers, associated to the political parties, were tolerated to some extent as they did not targeted royals and were sensationalist. Journalism was a dangerous profession; journalist Padam Thakurathi was shot on head (he survived luckily) by a mafia gang that had connection with power center for his outspoken editorials and articles. Many journalists were arrested and tortured. The publications were closed at government’s will. The autonomous “Press Council” had to function within the tight frame and regulations designed by the partyless Panchayat system government.
- Post – 1990: the change: After the collapse of 30 year old partyless Panchayat system, the constitution of Nepal (1990) was written, that guarantied the right to information and freedom of opinion and expression. The democratic government assured the publishers and journalists, that no press will be closed or seized for publishing news, articles or reading materials. Then, many independent and private publications were registered providing the license to publish newspapers and magazines. The number of publication was tremendously increased. Government started to flow its advertisements, not only to the state owned newspapers, but also to the private papers to support their development. The media enjoyed this fertile period, became well established and utilized the fair environment to deliver the critical comments and analytical articles. Kantipur of Kantipur publication, now the largest circulated Nepali newspaper was founded in 1992. Himal media which publishes magazines and weekly papers, was expanded throughout 1990s. Likewise, Kamana Publication and Space Times publication exhibited their solid presence. The New Business Age (NBA) reported, that Nepali daily newspaper did a business of 1 billion rupees in 2001. The fact finding mission of International Federation of Journalists (INJ) noted in its report in July 2005, “During the past decade and a half, the media in Nepal has played an integral part in promoting peace, democracy, development and good governance.”
Due to this sudden media development, there was increased demand of resources including manpower and the physical resources. Tribhuvan University and Purbanchal University offer journalism courses (Certificate, Bachelor, & Masters Level), and some private training centers and NGOs (for example: Nepal Press Institute & Media Point, Institute of Professional Journalism, Kathmandu etc.) are also producing the needed human resources for the media sector. Three “Regional Media Support Centers” were established to support local newspapers and to train local journalists in Nepalganj, Butwal and Biratnagar. At the same time, the traditional printing system is shifting towards a modern one and increasing numbers of papers are printed in offset press.And the printing media activities are expanded beyound Kathmandu valley, hundreds of newspapers are published at regional, district and local level.
Types & number of published newspapers & printing technology, Source: Press Council, Nepal (2004)
| S. N. | Types of Newspaper | Registered Newspaper | Published Newspaper | Printing Technology | |
| Offset Press | Letter Press | ||||
| 1 | Daily | 298 | 89 | 81 | 8 |
| 2 | Bi-Weekly | 25 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | Weekly | 1442 | 381 | 313 | 68 |
| 4. | Fortnightly | 273 | 40 | 35 | 5 |
The post 1990 period was not blessed only with the positive developments, in some way it brought in the Maoist insurgency. The state and the rebels started fighting ruthlessly and in between suffered the journalists. Both the fighting sides suspected journalists of spying and writing against them.
- Post – 1. February 2005: state of emergency:On 1.February 2005, ex-king Gyanendra dismissed the government and imposed the state of emergency. The fundamental rights, including the freedom of speech and press, were suspended. Then the government appointed by king deployed army in the publication offices to censor the news. They closed down the telephone, the mobile phone and internet network to disrupt the news collection and flow. Though the king said “freedom of expression is among the inherent of multiparty democracy”, intimidation and demoralization were rampant towards journalist. Many were summoned by the chief district officer for their explanation for publishing certain news. When Himal khabarpatrika got pressure to censor the criticism made by then UN General Secretary Kofi Annan, they published the article with empty spaces in between. Other editors took different methods of defying the restrictions of government; five newspapers appeared with the blank editorials and some used the pictures and satire as the mode of expression. Nepali media was publishing many restricted items testing the limitation of restriction, though it was not easy and free of dangers.
Daily circulation of some newspapersin copies, source: New Business Age (2001)
| Gorkhapatra | 65,000 |
| The Rising Nepal | 27,000 |
| Kantipur | 130,000 |
| The Kathmandu Post | 24,000 |
| Nepal Samacharpatra | 85,000 |
| Himalaya Times | 26,500 |
| Spacetime Dainik | 60,000 |
| Space Time Today | 15,000 |
| Rajdhani | 50,000 |
- Post-conflict situation &Conclusion:The Nepali press sector andpeople have experienced the taste of freedom of speech most of the times during last 20 years. Nepalese press and media was attacked and harassed during the time period of twelve years long armed conflict and direct rule of ex- King Gyenendra. Many media men have lost their life, a lot of journalists were arrested and abducted. On the other side, the print media polished themselves with competency; served best quality information possible to the people.Media situation in post conflict Nepal is improving. The government and the political partiesproclaim for the freedom of expression and freedom of press. The newly promulgated Constitution of Nepal 2072 guarantees the right of freedom of opinion and expression. The IFJ writes in its report: “Despite the challenges and abuses, the media community in Nepal has been dynamic in defending freedom and freedom of expression.”
