Nepali media predominantly focus on political issues: Report

Kathmandu / June 26: Nepali media predominantly cover politics while issues like climate change, development and marginalised communities often receive less attention, according to a study report released on Wednesday.

The Vibrant Information Barometer (VIBE) study report by the Civil Society and Media Programme under USAID also shows the media sector is facing huge financial constraints as their revenue has declined by more than half in recent years.

The study carried out in Kathmandu along with Madhesh and Lumbini provinces among editors, media managers, civil society members, reporters, educators and activists says that newsrooms in Nepali media are less inclusive.

“Leadership in Nepal’s media primarily reflects Brahmin and Chhetri communities with marginalised groups underrepresented,” one of the findings says.

The report adds Nepal’s information ecosystem is somewhat vibrant as it scores 23 out of 40. It is an average score based on the marking done by the respondents. Zero to ten is categorised as ‘non-vibrant’, 11 to 20 ‘slightly vibrant’, 21 to 30 ‘somewhat vibrant’, and 31 to 40 ‘highly vibrant’. The scores were given on four categories—information quality, channels, consumption and engagement, and transformative action—with 20 indicators and 167 sub-indicators.

According to the report, Lumbini Province scored 24, indicating a slightly more dynamic information landscape than the national average, while Madhesh Province obtained 22, showing a moderately vibrant information environment.