Centenary Congress: IFJ passes motion to safeguard the right to information in Nepal

Meeting in Paris from 4 to 7 May, the Congress of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) adopted an urgent motion, submitted by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists (FaPAJ). The motion opposed a directive that would adversely affect editorial independence, press freedom, freedom of expression, the right to information and journalistic autonomy overall in Nepal.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Deputy Chairman Dol Prasad Aryal (R) takes the oath of office as the newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, as Prime Minister Balendra Shah (C) and President Ram Chandra Paudel look on during a swearing-in ceremony in Kathmandu on 5 April 2026.Credit: Prakash Mathema / AFP.

Deeply concerned by the directive issued by the Nepal Office of the Prime Minister's Council of Ministers on April 11, 2026, to provide advertisements exclusively to state-owned media at all levels of government under the pretext of economising government expenditure.

Noting the strong opposition of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), and recognising that the directive will adversely impact editorial independence, press freedom, freedom of expression, the right to information, and overall journalistic autonomy in Nepal.

Gravely concerned that, while the allocation of state advertising may strengthen state-run media financially, it would simultaneously monopolise information dissemination and increase government control over the media landscape.

Recognising that advertising constitutes the primary source of income for many media outlets, and that the government's directive will have adverse effects on the financial viability of independent media, the livelihoods of Nepali journalists, and the public's right to access affordable news and information.

Recalling that the FNJ has highlighted this decision as contravening the spirit and provisions of the Constitution, particularly in relation to pluralism, federalism, equity, press freedom, and the right to information.

Further noting Nepal's engagement with the UNESCO Media Development Indicators (2008) through the Assessment of Media Development in Nepal (2011-13), which affirms the right of media to access state advertising in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner, and explicitly states that advertising must not be used to influence editorial content or reward or punish media outlets.

Gravely concerned by the drafting of further legal and constitutional reforms that may further curtail press freedom, in addition to preferential media access to government sources, and by the broader implications such measures may have for democratic accountability and media diversity in Nepal.

This Centenary Congressresolves to:

Strongly support the Federation of Nepali Journalists in its opposition to the discriminatory allocation of state advertising.

Urge the Government of Nepal to immediately reverse its policy and ensure equitable access to public advertising for all media outlets.

Call for the protection of constitutional guarantees of press freedom, including safeguards against the misuse of legal and regulatory powers, and encourage the Government to refrain from adopting or amending laws that may further undermine media independence or restrict freedom of expression.

Demand that all state actions affecting media be guided by principles of transparency, equity, non-discrimination, and respect for democratic norms.