Kailali journalists protest government circular restricting media advertising

Dhangadhi: The Kailali branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has escalated its protest against the government’s new circular in Dhangadhi, expressing strong opposition to the directive requiring government information and advertisements to be published or broadcast solely through government media.

During a stakeholder discussion held on Thursday, participants resolved to demand immediate revision of the circular, warning that the directive could negatively affect independent media and pose a serious challenge to the survival of private media.

As part of the pressure campaign, the federation has planned a program to send mobile messages to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Communications, and members of the House of Representatives of Sudurpaschim Province. Members are being urged to demand equal allocation of government advertisements, promotion of private media, and protection of journalists’ livelihoods.

The discussion, chaired by Kailali FNJ branch president Shravan Deuba, was attended by office bearers of the central and provincial committees, former office bearers, former presidents, and editors of various media outlets in Kailali.