{"id":25837,"date":"2026-09-20T15:09:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T09:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=25837"},"modified":"2026-09-20T15:09:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T09:24:05","slug":"journalists-task-force-submits-memorandum-to-prachanda-over-cuts-to-public-welfare-advertising-payments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=25837","title":{"rendered":"Journalists\u2019 Task Force Submits Memorandum to Prachanda Over Cuts to Public Welfare Advertising Payments<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media Correspondent<\/strong><\/p>\n

A task force formed by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) to safeguard print media has submitted a memorandum to former Prime Minister and Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal \u2018Prachanda\u2019, expressing concern over the government\u2019s reduction of payments for public welfare advertisements published by newspapers and other print publications.<\/p>\n

The delegation urged Dahal to take necessary initiatives to protect and promote print media and address the financial challenges facing the sector.<\/p>\n

The memorandum was presented on September 19, during the Constitution Day and National Day observances, at the party office in Parisdanda, Koteshwor. The delegation was led by FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal.<\/p>\n

The task force expressed concern over reductions introduced through the revised procedures governing public welfare advertising. It called for the decision to be reversed, arguing that such payments remain an important source of financial support for print publications facing rising operating costs and declining advertising revenue.<\/p>\n

The delegation included FNJ Kathmandu Branch President Shobha Aryal, Vice President Hem Bahadur Rana, Secretary Ramesh Kumar Bohora, branch adviser and central committee member Surya Subedi, and task force members Tanka Karki, Bishwaraj Kirat, Sita Pokharel and Kalpana Khadka, along with other senior journalists.<\/p>\n

The memorandum, signed by task force coordinator Damodar Prasad Dawadi, highlighted the need for policy measures to support the continued operation of print media, safeguard employment for journalists and media workers, and strengthen the financial sustainability of newspapers and other publications.<\/p>\n

The task force has called for the withdrawal of the First Amendment to the Public Welfare Advertising Publication Procedures, 2083 BS. It has also demanded a review of advertising payments in line with current market prices and inflation, proposing that the existing rates be increased by at least 100 percent. The removal of the three percent deduction made by the Advertising Board is another of its demands.<\/p>\n

As part of its campaign, the task force has been drawing the attention of leaders from both the governing and opposition parties to the difficulties facing print media. Memorandums have also been submitted to CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepali Journalists has expressed disagreement with the revised procedures and announced plans for nationwide protests beginning September 21 if its demands remain unaddressed.<\/p>\n

The federation has urged the government to withdraw the provisions reducing public welfare advertising payments and initiate measures to address the broader challenges confronting Nepal\u2019s media sector.<\/p>\n

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