History of Newspaper in Nepal

The Fourth Estate (or fourth power) is a segment of society that wields an indirect but significant influence on society even though it is not a formally recognized part of the political system. The most commonly recognized part of the fourth estate is the news media, or press. In this article we would go through History of Newspaper in Nepal

Newspaper

Newspaper is the publication which contain written information about current events going on. Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as politics, business, sports and art, and often include materials such as opinion columns, weather forecasts, reviews of local services, editorial cartoons, notices, and advice columns. Newspaper is the medium to transfer news to the public. Newspapers was developed in the 17th century. The first recorded attempt to found a newspaper of the modern type in Asia was by a employee of the British East India Company in September 1768 AD in India. Bengal Gazette the first newspaper of the South Asia, was published from India in 1780 AD.

History of Newspaper in Nepal

History of media goes parallel with the political history of any country. We can also witness similar situation in Nepalese context. The history of Nepali media has been immensely influenced by the Nepalese political history. The political history of Nepali journalism can be divided into seven phases.

• Traditional communication system
  As no educational programs are available for general public, no written documents could pass news to the peoples. During those period ‘Katuwal‘, ‘Jhyali Pitne‘ are the means of news.
• Rana period
  This period is initial phase of newspapers in Nepal. Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana (JBR) imported a hand press instruments in Nepal from Europe, which was used after 58 years of its entry into Nepal. Sudha Sagar was a monthly literary magazine published as the first print media outlet from Nepal. It was published in Shrawan, 1955 BS. Newspaper publication during Rana Period are
  1. Sudha Sagar
  2. Gorkhapatra
  3. Sharada
  4. Udhyog
  5. Sahitya Shrot
  6. Gharelu Ilam Patrika
  7. Shikshya
  8. Kathmandu Municipal Patrika
  9. Nepal Shikshya
  10. Ankha
  11. Purusartha
  12. Jagaran Weekly
• Period after the establishment of democracy
  Awaj the first daily newspaper of Nepal was published in Falgun 8, 2007 BS from Kathmandu. Nepal Guardian is the first English monthly magazine which was published from Kathmandu in 2010 BS (1948 AD). During this period, around 170 newspapers brought out in Nepal.
• Panchayat period
  Journalism during the period was divided into two missions: pro-panchayat and anti panchayat. Press freedom was not more in practice and many actions took place against press. Gorkhapatra became daily from 2017 Falgun 7 (after 59 years of its publication)
• Period after the restoration of democracy
  After the success of people’s movement, new constitution (Nepal’s constitution 2047) has guaranteed the press freedom and right to information to people. Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post, the first broadsheet national dailies from private sector were published in 2049 Falgun 7th.
• Period during king’s regime ­
  Militarization over the news and media was started at the king’s regime.
• Period following the success of People’s Movement-2063 BS onwards
  Nepali press played an important role against king’s regime. No any restriction or pressure from the state and rebels after the democracy.

Today the age of communication where people are aware of getting the information. People have right to get the right information in right time, thus for the fulfillment of people’s right over communication many media are playing vital role from their own position. The role of newspaper for providing the information is regarded the most important in the context of Nepal, where there are few numbers of media in exist.

Check Newspapers in Nepal.

Gorkhapatra

First Gorkhapatra Homepage Gorkhapatra the oldest and first newspaper of Nepal. There were no any other source of information(media) to inform the people and it was the period when general people are far from the reach of education ,the Ranas Autocratic system prevented for learning and right over communication. In that very situation Gorkhapatra play an important role to provide some sorts of knowledge and impart people to fight against the cruel and autocratic policy of Ranas, which was regarded as great rolled of the first and oldest paper “Gorkhapatra” in that time of Nepal and until today it’s continue in its aim to uniform Nepalese.
Estd.:- 14th of Baisakh,1958 B.S.
It was weekly newspaper at the beginning during its establishment.
Than twice a week from 29th Aswin, 2000B.S.(15th october, 1943)
Since 18th Feb. 1961 it has been published as a daily newspaper, the first national daily of Nepal.
After the arrival of Democracy more newspaper and media provide the services to the people to get the information to them.
The role played by the first newspaper Gorkhapatra is memorable and pleasant. The changes seen in the Nepalese during the days reflects the contribution of the Gorkhapatra in the sector of providing the truth and reliable news to the people, it’s working till today with the same faith and spirit.

Deep inside Gorkhaparta

Rana prime minister Padma Shumsher Rana had begun the publication of Newspaper. Gorkhapatra was first printed in the 1958Bs. After a power struggle with the Rana family, Chandra Shumsher again stopped printing the paper. In the interim, the paper had reached as far as Britain and France. After pressure from those countries, Chandra was forced to restart the publication. The first editor was Pandit Naradev Pandey. Upon resuming the publication, Chandra replaced Pandit with his brother-in-law, Jay Prithvi bahadur Singh, who was then the petty king of Bajhang. The paper was weekly and 1000 copies were printed.

The printing machine used was brought by first Rana Prime minister Jung Bhadur 50 years earlier during his tour to Britain. It was called V. and j. Fijjins Makers. The printing machine is still in a museum. It has a big figure of Vulture (Giddha) on top.

Gorkhapatra has been run under the government since the beginning days. All the government orders, notices, documents and advertisements were then published in the paper.

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