Nepali media is fighting for survival. Its journalists are fighting for their paychecks.
Summary
Nepal's media industry faces a severe crisis with journalists routinely unpaid for months, causing a talent drain amid falling revenues and management issues across major outlets.
Key Points
- Journalists across Nepal are routinely going months without pay, with arrears ranging from two months to nearly a year.
- The media industry in Nepal is in a slow collapse due to low wages, intermittent payments, and no regulatory protections.
- Non-profit outlet Ukaalo faces salary delays after donor pullback; journalists have resigned or left for government posts.
- Major media groups like Nepal Republic Media and Kantipur Media also face salary arrears despite profits and government aid.
- Journalists at several outlets including Annapurna Post, Prime TV, and others report irregular or delayed salary payments.
- Industry leaders acknowledge the crisis but emphasize need for new business models and digital adaptation.
