Media funding cuts draw opposition from ruling and opposition MPs
Summary
Ruling and opposition lawmakers in Nepal have criticized the government's cut in public welfare advertising funds, saying it has deepened the crisis facing the media sector. The Federation of Nepali Journalists has also opposed the reduced payments and a new procedure it says is discriminatory.
Key Points
- Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties objected to the government's reduction in public welfare advertising funds for media outlets.
- RSP lawmaker Buddhi Prasad Pant said the cuts, higher RSS news service fees, and unfair ad distribution have pushed independent media deeper into crisis.
- Opposition chief whip Aren Rai said the move undermined Parliament’s authority and weakened press freedom and the public’s right to information.
- The Federation of Nepali Journalists opposed the reduced payments and the new Public Welfare Advertisement Publication procedure.
