Federation of Nepali Journalists issues 3-day ultimatum to government over media circular

Kathmandu. The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has issued a three-day ultimatum to the government to rectify its decision to restrict the publication and broadcast of government notices exclusively to state-owned media outlets.

On Friday, the decision was reached following a discussion with stakeholders regarding the circular that mandates government advertisements be published or broadcast only through state-run media.

Participants in the discussion condemned the government's move as discriminatory and demanded its immediate withdrawal. FNJ President Nirmala Sharma stated that the decision would adversely affect media organizations and urged the government to reverse it. She added that the federation would simultaneously pursue dialogue on the matter. 

The FNJ held the discussion in response to the circular issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to all federal ministries, commissions, secretariats, as well as provincial and local levels, directing them to utilize only state-owned media for government notices.