KATHMANDU: In a major milestone for media scholarship, Press Council Nepal on Friday unveiled a comprehensive publication titled “History of Nepali Media, from Print to Digital”, chronicling six decades of the nation’s journalistic journey.

The book was launched after a year-long research and documentation effort.

At a formal ceremony in Kathmandu, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Raghuji Panta, Communications Secretary Radhika Aryal, Press Council Nepal Chairman Balkrishna Basnet, FNJ President Nirmala Sharma, and senior journalist Ramkrishna Regmi jointly released the book, highlighting its value as a detailed archive of media evolution in Nepal.

The volume features contributions from leading media scholars and journalists including Dr. Kundan Aryal, Dr. Raghu Mainali, Dr. Jagat Nepal, Tirtha Koirala, Subhash Bindu Tuladhar, Ujjwal Acharya, Bhuwan KC, and Rudra Khadka.

It provides an in-depth analysis of the development of Nepali journalism—from the traditional print age to today’s digital platforms—while reflecting on the trials and transformations of the profession.

Chief guest Minister Panta, himself a former FNJ general secretary and editor, emphasized that Nepal enjoys greater press freedom compared to many South Asian countries.

“Journalists here have not had to go missing or be sacked for doing their job. Still, the credibility of the press remains its greatest strength,” he said.

He called for collective effort to protect press freedom and strengthen journalistic integrity.

Secretary Radhika Aryal described the rapid transformation of the media landscape as historic and encouraged broader public debate on journalism’s role in shaping democratic society.

Chairman Balkrishna Basnet said the publication offers a mirror to the past struggles and successes of Nepali journalism.

“The thread of trust is wearing thin due to misinformation. This book aims to remind us of journalism’s ethical core,” he remarked, announcing that an English edition is also underway.

FNJ President Nirmala Sharma noted that while digital media has expanded access, it has also impacted credibility.

She urged media professionals to restore public trust through accuracy and accountability.

Senior journalist Ramkrishna Regmi, who reviewed the publication, stressed the need for intergenerational dialogue within the media fraternity.

He said the documentation spans nearly 60 years of journalism’s evolution through print, radio, television, and digital media.

An editors’ forum was also held during the event, where top media figures including Junarbabu Basnet (Gorkhapatra), Bijay Poudel (Kantipur TV), Pratik Pradhan (Digital Media Society), Gunaraj Luintel (Nagarik), Shambhu Shrestha (Drishti), Tirtha Koirala, and Monica Singh (Digital Media Alliance Nepal) discussed both opportunities and challenges facing Nepali journalism in the digital age.

More than 180 editors and journalists from across the country participated in the launch ceremony.

The book is edited by Chairman Balkrishna Basnet, with support from Shriram Singh Basnet, Jhabindra Bhusal, and Deepak Khanal.

Press Council Nepal has termed the publication a significant contribution to documenting and preserving the legacy of Nepali journalism.