Mainstream national news media organizations have established ‘Media Alliance Nepal’ to protect the media industry’s business interests. The alliance was announced during a ceremony in the capital on Sept 23. Bhaskar Raj Karnikar, chairman of Avenues Television, has been designated the alliance chairman while Capt. Rameshwar Thapa, Chairman of Annapurna Media Network, and Binod Gyawali, Chairman of Republica Media Pvt Ltd, will serve as advisors. Mahendra Sherchan of Rajdhani News Publications Pvt. Ltd. and Raju Kandel, Chairman of Mountain Television, have been elected alliance Vice Presidents. Likewise, Samridhi Gyawali, CEO of Republica Media, Rishi Dhamala, Chairman of Prime Television, and Rajendra Shakya, Vice Chairman of AP1 Television, are listed as working committee members.

At the ceremony, Chairman Karnikar said the alliance was formed for pure business interest and not motivated by any political mission. Karnikar added that he would work professionally for the uplift of the media industry.

Also speaking at the event, Capt. Rameshwar Thapa said he was committed to nationalism and democracy. “Democracy and nationalism are the first conditions of this alliance,” Thapa said. Stating that the Nepali media is in crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Thapa suggested that the state should take the initiative to save the media from the ongoing crisis.

The main objective of the alliance is to protect the rights and interests of investors in the communications sector by making the sector ‘fair, neutral and accountable.’