KATHMANDU, MAY 31

Press Council Nepal has released a historic book titled 'History of Nepali Media: From Print to Digital', documenting the evolution of Nepali journalism over six decades.

The book was launched jointly by Education Minister Raghuji Pant, Communication Secretary Radhika Aryal, Council Chair Bal Krishna Basnet, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) President Nirmala Sharma, and senior journalist Ram Krishna Regmi.

The publication chronicles the evolution of Nepali media from the early print era to the present-day digital landscape. It features research-based articles by media scholars and journalists including Dr. Kundan Aryal, Dr. Raghu Mainali, Dr. Jagat Nepal, Tirtha Koirala, Shubhechha Bindu Tuladhar, Ujjwal Acharya, Bhuvan KC, and Rudra Khadka. The book highlights the struggles, transformation, and current challenges of Nepali journalism.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Pant remarked that Nepal enjoys greater press freedom compared to many South Asian countries, noting that journalists here are neither disappearing nor losing jobs for their reporting. He stressed the need to protect hard-won press freedom and called for cooperation among media stakeholders to strengthen journalism institutions. As a former FNJ general secretary, Press Council board member, and editor of various newspaper, Minister Pant also emphasized the importance of editorial responsibility and maintaining credibility in journalism.

Secretary Radhika Aryal said recent changes in the media landscape marked significant milestones, and called for broader discussions on content and its societal impact. She urged the media sector to reflect deeply on journalism's role in social transformation.

Chairperson Basnet noted that the book captures the realities of journalism's past, its struggles, and truths, cautioning that trust in journalism is weakening due to misinformation and baseless reporting. He also announced plans to publish an English version of the book.

FNJ President Nirmala Sharma expressed concern that the credibility of Nepali media may be declining in the digital era, stressing the need to combat misinformation with awareness and responsibility.

Senior journalist Ram Krishna Regmi, in his critical remarks, called for meaningful dialogue between veteran and emerging journalists, noting that this is the first comprehensive historical account of Nepali journalism in nearly six decades.

Editors and journalists participating in the launch discussed the opportunities and challenges facing Nepali media today. Over 180 media professionals attended the event.

Edited by Council Chair Basnet, with Shriram Singh Basnet, Jhabindra Bhusal, and Deepak Khanal on the editorial team, the book is seen as a significant contribution to media history in Nepal.