The Nepal Media Society (NMS), an umbrella organisation of mainstream media outlets in the country, has launched a campaign against corruption.

Organising a press meet in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the NMS informed that it is necessary to establish solidarity and raise voice against wrongdoings to rid of corruption. The society has also urged stakeholders for their support in this struggle.

Stating that corruption in the country is evolving as a “long-term disease” and is demoralising the general public, the NMS stressed on the need for the media to play a more effective role.

“Pertinent issues raised by the media are being ignored by the rulers. Nothing concrete has happened even though the media has raised serious corruption-related cases,” said NMS General Secretary Shubha Shankar Kandel, adding that the media, however, is committed to live up to the public expectations and continue exposing corruption.

The NMS would initiate discussions with the key stakeholders to ensure a success of the initiative, Kandel added, “We would launch a demonstration if required.”

Issues like tax exemption worth billions of rupees to telecommunications service provider Ncell, political and bureaucratic nexus in misappropriation of revenue and settlement of tax in a questionable way by the Tax Settlement Commission, appointment in the corruption watchdog with political interest as well as expulsion, impeachment motion against former chief justice and land purchase deal by Nepal Oil Corporation, among others, suggest that the country is heading towards severe mishap, the society said.

Immediate past president of NMS and Chairman and Managing Director of Kantipur Media Group Kailash Sirohiya said that the dillydallying of corruption watchdog even to probe the cases recommended by parliamentary committees showed state’s apathy towards discouraging corruption. “This campaign is an appeal against corruption. The NMS will decide future course based on the situation in the days ahead,” Sirohiya said.

Having played a crucial role in all kinds of movements for a change, the NMS said the country’s media remain committed to exposing corruption and irregularities as part of its responsibility towards nation building.

It has also denounced the act of curtailing press freedom by exploiting a state authority and urged the government to probe into the issues and cases exposed by the media and punish the guilty party.