Community radio played a significant role in the political change of different periods, protecting democracy, creating public awareness, and in disaster management. However, it is now struggling for existence.
Speaking at a program organized by the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal here on Tuesday on World Radio Day, stakeholders shared that community radio is struggling for its existence due to the advancement and increasing use of information technology.
On the occasion, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat mentioned that media played a significant role in establishing freedom of expression and the rule of law after the political change in 1990.
He explained that there is a big challenge in commercial development and sustainability of community radios. "Social platforms have reduced the use of radio and television. So there are negative impacts on their business. People's interest in radio is decreasing and radio has been finding difficulty to get advertisements", stressed Minister Mahat.
The Finance Minister added that the Finance Ministry had already consented to the exemption of renewal fees and royalties as demanded by community radio operators.
He expressed commitment that the state would take the initiative to protect the radio, which played a crucial role in making the general people aware.
Similarly, Vice-Chairperson of Lumbini Province Planning Commission, Dr Nahakul KC, pointed out that radio should change their working style for its effectiveness in this era of information technology, saying radio has significant role in social empowerment and mainstream.
"There is a drastic change in the communication sector after the restoration of democracy. The role of radio in social empowerment is incomparable. A separate model for operation of community radio being away from political affiliation is necessary", he underscored.
KC shared that Lumbini province government has forwarded different activities including accident insurance of media persons, establishment of Communication Registrar Office.
Likewise, President of Federation of Nepali Journalists, Bipul Pokharel, laid emphasis that community radio should compete with media based on information technology and internet and to broadcast contents meeting the local's expectation for their existence.
Chairperson of the Advertisement Board, Laxman Humagain, mentioned that community radio could identify their targeted audiences, stressing that community radio should keep local content in priority while Chairperson of ACORAB, Arjun Giri, said there should be an exemption on the import of radio equipment and royalty determined for radio.
© 2026 All right reserved to Nepalraibar English | Site By : Sobij
