Kathmandu: Senior journalists in Nepal maintain that print media continues to hold significant relevance, despite a gradual decline in the number of readers.

Challenges and Adaptation in Print Media
At an interaction program organized by the Print Media National Network, participants discussed the challenges facing print media in Nepal. They emphasized the need for print media to be more contextual and expansive in the changing landscape.

Dipak Khanal, Spokesperson of Press Council Nepal, presented a working paper on the challenges of print media and expectations from stakeholders. He highlighted the necessity for print media to diversify content and presentation styles, moving away from the traditional news-breaking approach to offering in-depth content. Khanal believes that print media can retain readership by providing content that is often overlooked by new media.

Government Support and Innovation
Govinda Acharya, Press Advisor to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, stated that government media-related agencies would be mobilized to address the primary challenges faced by print media.

Kishore Shrestha, Editor of Jana Aastha Weekly, emphasized the need for new ideas to overcome these challenges and affirmed that the importance and dignity of print media remain intact. Dev Prakash Tripathi, Chairman of the Print Media National Network, also shared his views on the current context and challenges of print media in the country.

Media's Role in Nepal-China Relations
In a separate program focusing on the media's role in deepening Nepal-China relations, speakers stressed the importance of raising issues related to dialogue, cooperation, and mutual partnership to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Journalist Sitaram Bhattarai presented a paper highlighting a gap in the Nepali media's understanding of Nepal-China relations. Kishore Shrestha, Chairman of the Nepal China Media Forum, called for enhanced cooperation and honest dissemination of information to deepen Nepal-China ties.

Senior Journalists' Contributions
Senior journalists such as Rajan Karki, Dr. Balkrishna Chapagain, Nirmala Sharma, Pushparaj Pradhan, Maheshwor Dahal, Bishwamani Subedi, and Khil Bahadur Bhandari provided their insights and comments on both working papers, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about the future of print media and its role in international relations.