2010: More broacast outlets. 2011: Need more professionalism.
Nepal Monitor wraps this year up with comments and thoughts from Nepali media leaders and professionals. We approached professionals and media leaders with these two questions: One, what was the one most important achievement in the media sector in Nepal in 2010? Two, would you share with us one most significant development you expect to see in the media sector in 2011?
We have tried to be inclusive, reaching out to the cross-section of Nepal's media. Commenters tend to agree that the year 2010 was defined primarily by growth of broadcast media in Nepal, continued intimidation of journalists, and the rise of social media. They expect that the coming years will be characterized by increased professionalism, and further growth and use of social media.
Sudheer Sharma, editor, Kantipur
The media throughout the year were engaged with the political and peace process. They highlighted many problems and issues, however, the problems largely remained unresolved. The media continued to be attacked, specially outside the Kathmandu Valley. Kantipur, for example, had to face an unprecedented problem; its news print supplies were blocked in India. Even newspaper advertisements were cancelled or blocked. The media outlets still remain focused on the peace process. We saw new media outlets launched, specially electronic or broadcast media, but quality of content remained largely haphazard, lacking professionalism. This may be natural for some media in the initial stage of their growth, but I hope things will improve in the future.
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Ram Krishna Regmee, Media Educator/Senior Journalist
Picking up one from among numerous achievements of Nepali media sector in 2010 is a challenging job. There is a danger in the task as well: the subjective nature of selection might do injustice to many that get de-selected. Competitive situations, however, have, over time, developed a method of inviting the risk and producing one as the most important at a given time-frame in a routine manner.
Sanjeev Rajbhandari, Managing Director of Mercantile Communications
This year was not that productive, or progressive in the country, largely due to the uncertain political situation. Still, there were some positive developments, like the growth in media houses and television stations. There was not any significant development in the online media sector in the country. I hope things will improve next year.
Narayan Prasad Sharma, President, Press Council Nepal.
We could note more speed and diversity in Nepali media. There was more penetration of FM and television stations where print media had little presence. The broadcast media also covered education and entertainment. SMS became more common in sharing information and more ultramodern technologies were introduced in the city, with potential to eventually affect villages too.
Babita Basnet, President, Sancharika Samuha
There were challenges in 2010 for the media. Media continued to be under the threat of political parties, specially the Maoists, particularly in the Terai region. There were attacks on the media, specially on media owners and managers. Still, the positive side was the growth of the media, more TV stations and FM radio stations were launched.
Vinajy Kumar Kasajoo, Chief Commissioner, National Information Commission
On the first question, we noticed the operation of so many new Nepali channels and beginning of DTH satellite service. I think the next year will be defined by the availability/access of/to media content in mobile phones.
Rem Bahadur BK, President, Jagaran Media Center
The year 2010 was not an easy cake for media professionals. Journalists became targets of violence, beatings and even murder in broad daylight. The investigating bodies and the police were not able to catch the culprits behind the incidents and the killings. Maybe they never wanted to go after them. The government, on the other hand, only gave its lip-service, and never fulfilled the demand of thorough investigation and punishment.
Bharat Shakya, CEO, Media Management/Citizen FM, Kathmandu
Nothing significant occurred in the radio sector, although it seemed oriented towards professionalism. Our media is dominated with hard news content more than any other content. Social content on radio is on the rise, though. There are more than 300 radio FM stations, but none seems to be self-reliant. There are some commercial stations doing well. But are centralized in Kathmandu and most, like parasites, recycle the same content from other media, including the print. The output is not matched with the amount of investment in the radio sector.
Gopal Kumar Jha, Radio Entrepreneur, Headlines & Music FM 97.2, Lalitpur
Regarding the first question, nothing great so far. But still the struggle for survival is on in this sector. The most remarkable thing that happened to this sector is increase of total revenue in advertisement. It has reached to 350 crore from 300. However, the opening of new media channels have created big challenge to all since the volume of advertisement increased but revenues could not increase in same ratio. I am also pleased to know that there are few local TV channel (s) i.e. Broadcast Television that have started their operation this year. I am sure they will focus the local development issues in their channel(s). May be this could be the most important achievement in the media sector in Nepal in 2010.
Ujjwal Acharya, Online Editor, Republica/ Blogger
The growth of online news portals and social media was noteworthy. As the mainstream online news portals continued to compete with each other with timely updates (including live coverage of important events) and increased interactivity, the social media grew to be their biggest challenger. Quite a few news stories were broken on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogs as online managers tried hard to incorporate the conversation within their news portal. Mainstream media or even online news sites were reluctant to credit social media but that did not make much difference as social media continued to attract producers, audience and commentators of information mainly because of the ease in use, integration of multiple platforms, curiosity and also because of a level honest aggressiveness in opinions in major events.
Naresh Phuyal, Radio Journalist, Radio Nepal
It's hard to find an achievement when things are in the midst of dilemma in name of transition. The year 2010 has been marred by the murder of two prominent media entrepreneurs of this nation. The killing of Jamim Shah in the month of February in broad daylight in a busy street in the capital city of Kathmandu was one such incident. Another media entrepreneur Arun Singhania from Janakpur also met the same fate. A brave woman journalist from the same arena Uma Singh was murdered earlier while Tika Bista from mid western hill region survived miraculously. These are only some of the instances of how media sector in this country is bracing day by day. Federations of Nepalese Journalists, the FNJ, and numerous other media institutions should prioritize their advocacy regarding basic environment for secure and impartial journalism.
Nepal Monitor wraps this year up with comments and thoughts from Nepali media leaders and professionals. We approached professionals and media leaders with these two questions: One, what was the one most important achievement in the media sector in Nepal in 2010? Two, would you share with us one most significant development you expect to see in the media sector in 2011?
We have tried to be inclusive, reaching out to the cross-section of Nepal's media. Commenters tend to agree that the year 2010 was defined primarily by growth of broadcast media in Nepal, continued intimidation of journalists, and the rise of social media. They expect that the coming years will be characterized by increased professionalism, and further growth and use of social media.
A sample of comments are provided below in no particular order:
Sudheer Sharma, editor, Kantipur
The media throughout the year were engaged with the political and peace process. They highlighted many problems and issues, however, the problems largely remained unresolved. The media continued to be attacked, specially outside the Kathmandu Valley. Kantipur, for example, had to face an unprecedented problem; its news print supplies were blocked in India. Even newspaper advertisements were cancelled or blocked. The media outlets still remain focused on the peace process. We saw new media outlets launched, specially electronic or broadcast media, but quality of content remained largely haphazard, lacking professionalism. This may be natural for some media in the initial stage of their growth, but I hope things will improve in the future.
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P. Kharel, Chairperson, Nepal Press Institute
2010: The emergence of significantly more news media in both print and broadcast sectors.
2010: The emergence of significantly more news media in both print and broadcast sectors.
2011: The issue of journalists doubling up as political activists will begin to be discussed, something I have been relentlessly pressing for years.
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Kishore Nepal, Senior Journalist/Chairperson, Center for Journalism Studies
The year 2010 remained a regular affair for Nepali media. There are no significant, measurable and noteworthy achievement except for regular reporting of the events. The media people tried to sensationalize some non-events but the consumers rejected that.
The year 2010 remained a regular affair for Nepali media. There are no significant, measurable and noteworthy achievement except for regular reporting of the events. The media people tried to sensationalize some non-events but the consumers rejected that.
Majority of the so-called mainstream journalists catered superficial reporting on constitutional affairs, self-centric and interest-oriented partisan "reporting" of political affairs and callous reporting on economy. The contents were like notices than information. Forget journalism.
Power crisis was blessing in disguise for FM Radios. They tried their level best to cater notices processing as news. TV was rapidly transformed into "Pictorial FM", playing more graphics than picture.
Power crisis was blessing in disguise for FM Radios. They tried their level best to cater notices processing as news. TV was rapidly transformed into "Pictorial FM", playing more graphics than picture.
For 2011, I would like to see Nepali Journalism as an effective tool for investigative reporting, sound analysis and opinion making. But, where three main parties "control" everything in the name of "Lok Tantra," individual liberty and national ethos ends.
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Ram Krishna Regmee, Media Educator/Senior Journalist
Picking up one from among numerous achievements of Nepali media sector in 2010 is a challenging job. There is a danger in the task as well: the subjective nature of selection might do injustice to many that get de-selected. Competitive situations, however, have, over time, developed a method of inviting the risk and producing one as the most important at a given time-frame in a routine manner.
Viewed against this backdrop, the job that Nepali media did during the period leading to the Constituent Assembly's May 28, 2010 deadline of finalizing the Constitution of the Republic of Nepal could be taken as the most outstanding. It performed the time-honored journalistic role of a watchdog excellently, through its varied coverage in print-text, sound and image.
A number of parameters - countdown, alert-sounding, giving room for plurality of views, forming public opinion to pressurize leaders to be accountable to the mandate given by 17.5 million voters in April 10, 2008-CA poll, analyzing the need for constitution to institutionalize democracy restored through People's Movement -II and warning about the failure of politicos to fulfill their duty despite huge spending - provide high score to Nepali media coverage of that period.
It is the media coverage- the daily, nay, hourly dose of information flow- that made Nepalis updated and empowered to tolerate the tragedy of not receiving the much expected Document - THE CONSTITUTION- on time. It is the media coverage that enabled Nepalis to understand positively the rather non-transparent compulsions behind politicos' failure to produce the Constitution in time and their subsequent demand for one more extra-year to complete the job.
On the other question, I would like to see in 2011 the development of a practice of auditing media under the auspices of media owners. Such auditing does not take place in Nepal. Many have the misconception that commercial-type balance sheet evaluation or circulation figure or advertisement availability numbers would serve to assess the media as well. Moreover, there is no willingness among those who run media to have such a practice in place.
I think media should be audited from the viewpoint of myriad factors: accessibility to people, editorial freedom, freedom exercised in expression, service to the cause of plurality, diversity and minority, contribution to free debate as demanded in a democracy, provisions for maintaining high standards of journalistic competence and institutionalization of the process of information flow. Unless media are analyzed through this frame, no policy could be worked out for the media appropriately.
Of course, those who are used to running media as another form of commercial outlet in the Bazaar might find this type of auditing highly demanding. But that should not be the reason why media should abandon it.
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This year was not that productive, or progressive in the country, largely due to the uncertain political situation. Still, there were some positive developments, like the growth in media houses and television stations. There was not any significant development in the online media sector in the country. I hope things will improve next year.
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We could note more speed and diversity in Nepali media. There was more penetration of FM and television stations where print media had little presence. The broadcast media also covered education and entertainment. SMS became more common in sharing information and more ultramodern technologies were introduced in the city, with potential to eventually affect villages too.
Following the establishment of democratic republic in the country, we see more debates, and even repulsion in the media. There were safety concerns too, as well as concerns regarding the lack of resources and facilities for media workers. As the industry matures and diversifies, the role of journalists, media entrepreneurs, and electronic or broadcast media workers also needed to be defined. I think if our media could be more conflict-sensitive, positive in their thoughts and approaches, and cooperative on issues of national importance, as well as free from any duress, radically transformative in professionalism, and self-dependence, it would be far better.
Politics of conflict is not over yet in the country. It has transformed into a kind of cold war now. This is why some consider this media war situation. I would like to see media playing a crucial role as conscious and lively facilitator and mediator for the long-term peace, constitution writing and protection of national interest. I would also like to say that media should be free from any kinds of vested interests. Lastly, I would like to see that independence, impartial, transparent and responsible media committed to the nation and the people should be respected from every side.
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There were challenges in 2010 for the media. Media continued to be under the threat of political parties, specially the Maoists, particularly in the Terai region. There were attacks on the media, specially on media owners and managers. Still, the positive side was the growth of the media, more TV stations and FM radio stations were launched.
I hope there will be an environment of unconditional press freedom in 2011, so it can also benefit other sectors.
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On the first question, we noticed the operation of so many new Nepali channels and beginning of DTH satellite service. I think the next year will be defined by the availability/access of/to media content in mobile phones.
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The year 2010 was not an easy cake for media professionals. Journalists became targets of violence, beatings and even murder in broad daylight. The investigating bodies and the police were not able to catch the culprits behind the incidents and the killings. Maybe they never wanted to go after them. The government, on the other hand, only gave its lip-service, and never fulfilled the demand of thorough investigation and punishment.
In spite of the existing impunity and target against the fourth organ of the nation, 2010 was a bit relief in terms of positive move on behalf of Dalit journalists. The decision of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) to modify its constitution was a welcome move. It amended its constitution making it a more inclusive one. In its new constitution, it is mandatory to include 2 Dalit journalists in the central committee.
Media sector in 2011 should skyrocket in terms of progress and security. When we talk on behalf of the Dalit Journalists, in 2011, the Ministry of Information and Communications should formulate Dalit journalists' friendly media laws and policies. It should make compulsory provision of involving Dalit journalists in media outlets: print, radio and television. Dalit journalists should be given space in the senior level positions in the media outlets so that the issues of the Dalit community will be adequately addressed. "Inclusive Media Outlets" with the "Dalit-friendly Laws & Policies" should be the priority in 2011. On the other hand, the upcoming constitution of Nepal should seriously address the media issues which will spill positive image in the media sector.
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Nothing significant occurred in the radio sector, although it seemed oriented towards professionalism. Our media is dominated with hard news content more than any other content. Social content on radio is on the rise, though. There are more than 300 radio FM stations, but none seems to be self-reliant. There are some commercial stations doing well. But are centralized in Kathmandu and most, like parasites, recycle the same content from other media, including the print. The output is not matched with the amount of investment in the radio sector.
I hope there will be more professionalism in the coming year, and that radio stations will produce more of their own original content.
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Regarding the first question, nothing great so far. But still the struggle for survival is on in this sector. The most remarkable thing that happened to this sector is increase of total revenue in advertisement. It has reached to 350 crore from 300. However, the opening of new media channels have created big challenge to all since the volume of advertisement increased but revenues could not increase in same ratio. I am also pleased to know that there are few local TV channel (s) i.e. Broadcast Television that have started their operation this year. I am sure they will focus the local development issues in their channel(s). May be this could be the most important achievement in the media sector in Nepal in 2010.
On the second question, I think all media houses have their vested interests. We cannot expect that they should be 100 % neutral but the way they report looks like they are activists rather than media persons (Journalists). I am surprised to see the presentation style, the body language and the language used in the reports or features, especially in television. The worst part is that they over report anything forgetting their ethics. They need vigorous training since there are many immature journalists in most of the electronic media. Those in the print media still feel that they are above all and there is no one to screw them. I think Nepali media need to self assess about what they want to achieve. Therefore, some mechanism should be formed to define who are eligible for getting the certificate of a journalist.
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The growth of online news portals and social media was noteworthy. As the mainstream online news portals continued to compete with each other with timely updates (including live coverage of important events) and increased interactivity, the social media grew to be their biggest challenger. Quite a few news stories were broken on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogs as online managers tried hard to incorporate the conversation within their news portal. Mainstream media or even online news sites were reluctant to credit social media but that did not make much difference as social media continued to attract producers, audience and commentators of information mainly because of the ease in use, integration of multiple platforms, curiosity and also because of a level honest aggressiveness in opinions in major events.
The most significant development that we will see in 2011 within the digital media sector will be the attempts to integrate social media within the mainstream media - both online and print editions. I just say attempts because with the reluctance of the mainstream media to acknowledge social media, I still see there will not be substantial implementation other than comment box and buttons to add the news to social media platforms. Nevertheless, with continued growth in users and use of social media along with increasing number of bloggers and citizen news reporters in independent platforms the mainstream media will continue to be startled/strained, but I believe, it will still choose to ignore them largely. We may also witness attempts to throw in in-house blogs in mainstream news sites.
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It's hard to find an achievement when things are in the midst of dilemma in name of transition. The year 2010 has been marred by the murder of two prominent media entrepreneurs of this nation. The killing of Jamim Shah in the month of February in broad daylight in a busy street in the capital city of Kathmandu was one such incident. Another media entrepreneur Arun Singhania from Janakpur also met the same fate. A brave woman journalist from the same arena Uma Singh was murdered earlier while Tika Bista from mid western hill region survived miraculously. These are only some of the instances of how media sector in this country is bracing day by day. Federations of Nepalese Journalists, the FNJ, and numerous other media institutions should prioritize their advocacy regarding basic environment for secure and impartial journalism.
The development in new Media certainly has increased access to voice our concerns but it's not sufficient yet. The state is waning its authority when numerous outfits, including arms groups, rumble across the nation. In this situation media's role is crucial. Media rather than being reflexive should opt for a proactive approach but at the same time it should not sway away from its basic function of objectivity and impartiality. There is a lot of misinformation conveyed to the outside world regarding the challenges this nation is facing. Let's hope our media will certainly pay attention to this in the coming year.
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