Government to register and list online television channels

KATHMANDU: The government of Nepal has decided to register and officially list online television channels.

Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, announced that the registration and listing process will begin immediately to ensure professional security and institutional development for online television and online journalism.

During a meeting with online TV journalists, Minister Kharel emphasized that the state is committed to providing online media and their journalists the same benefits as mainstream media.

Currently, a lack of accurate data about online channels and journalists has prevented them from receiving government-supported welfare advertisements and other benefits.

Secretary Radhika Aryal stated that the ministry is working to simplify services, including registration and renewal, especially for media operating outside the Kathmandu Valley, through district post offices.

Additionally, Deputy Secretary and spokesperson Uday Bahadur Rana presented on institutional management, facilitation, and regulation of digital media platforms like YouTube, along with future policy directions.

Participants, including online TV operators, managers, and journalists, raised concerns about the absence of clear legal provisions for online media, which has restricted their access to government-provided welfare advertisements and other benefits.