KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has given the government a 72-hour ultimatum to resume the registration and renewal process for online media outlets.

A delegation led by FNJ President Nirmala Sharma submitted a memorandum to Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, on Wednesday, warning that the federation would launch a protest if the stalled registration and renewal work was not immediately resumed.

The memorandum was signed by FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal.

Minister Gurung assured the delegation that temporary measures would be introduced to address the difficulties faced by online media, and that a new regulatory framework would be implemented soon.

Secretary Radhika Aryal also confirmed efforts to simplify the registration and renewal process.

The amendment of the Press and Publication Act, 2048, which transferred online media registration and renewal to local authorities, has disrupted operations nationwide.

FNJ Vice President Umid Bagchand, Secretary Soni Sharma, and central committee members including Prakash Dhaulakoti were present at the submission.