The Nepal Media Society, an umbrella organisation of private publications and television broadcasters, has taken a serious exception to an act of various interest groups in spreading rumours against some media houses halting their operations.

Issuing a press statement on Monday, the society has also expressed concerns over the unnecessary legal obstacle from the government into the operations of media houses. 

“Everyone is aware that the government is targeting the media industry which is already suffering due to political instability, devastating earthquake and months-long blockade,” NMS Chairman Puskar Lal Shrestha said in the statement. 

“Besides, the industry is continuously bothered by untimely Communication Acts, laws and directives that are issued to serve the motive of some interest group,”  the statement read.

“Media sector will not accept any obstacles that are issued going against the established norms.”

The society has expressed a serious concern over the threat to obstruct the distribution of the newspapers of Kantipur Publications in the name of pressuring for hiking perks and benefits of the part-time and daily wage staffers working at the publication’s circulation department. 

Referring to the existing legal provisions under the regulations of the respective media houses that guide the pay and perks of such staffers, the society has requested the concerned sides to immediately stop the obstruction in the media houses on any pretext and resolve the issue through dialogue.