History of Nepalese Print Media

 Pre- Rana period is considered as just the foundation of pre- development of journalism in Nepal inwhich just hand written, oral communication system like postal services, katuwal karaune, Damaha Bajaune were in practice. Social system also was very simple and people used to communicate easily. In south Asia the first newspaper Bangal Gazette, English weekly was published in 1780 AD from Kolkata. It had an influence to the other states in India but not in Nepal which was almost in the Dark Age.

During the emergence of Rana Regime Prime Minister Junga Bahadur Rana brought the Giddhe press from Britain in 1851. During Rana regime for more than a century - only 12 magazines and papers published. Out of them two were the weekly papers and rest 10 were monthlies. Neighboring countries were ahead in education and journalism and the first Nepali paper Gorkha Bharat Jiwan was published from Varanasi under the editorship of Ram Krishna Varma during late 1890s. It was the monthly and literary magazine . It encouraged Nepalis for journalism and gave a standpoint for Nepali language  a standard records.

 Some five years later in 1898 Sudha Sagar, first Nepali Magazine was published from Kathmandu. It was published by Nara Dev Pandey. It is the second Nepali language magazine ever published. In 1901, Gorkhapatra, the first Nepali newspaper and third in publication row of newspaper history came into being . It was the second production in Nepal. The next paper Sharada, published by Riddhi Bahadur Malla, came almost after 34 years in 1934. Nepali audience had to wait for next a decade to read the daily newspaper which came just after the establishment of democracy in 1950.

The first daily newspaper Awaj was published just one day after the declaration took place. Siddhicharan Shrestha, the editor of the newspaper had taken the banner news the deceleration of democracy with picture of then King Tribhuvan .Women editors also started magazine from 1951, Mahila ,a monthly magazine , Sadhana Pradhan and Kamalesha Devi were the editors. Nepal Guardian, the first English Daily Newspaper was taken in the market  by Barun Shamsher Rana in 1954 . Enthnic newspapers also started, Asha Ram Shakya published  Pasa, Newari  fortnightly in 1952 AD , during Depawai  and Tranga,the first Hindi weekly paper was published by Bhoj Bahadur Singh. The first paper published in Moffusil was Sewa monthly published in 1951 by Shyam Prasad Sharma from Birgunj. From Rana period to 1960 altogether One hundred and 70 papers were in existence, out of them 26 were daillies. Dr KI Sigh's paper Samyukta Prayash published the first cartoon .The cartoon was about constituent assembly,a man with two faces.

1960 coup setback Nepali press. Panchayat Regime was imposed and newspaper was divided into Pro- Panchayat Mission, and in Anty panchayat mission. From 19th February, 1960 Gorkhapatra became daily, before this date it was thrice a week publication. Just one year later on the same day, Nepal Sambad Samiti and Sagarmatha Sambad Samiti were merged into Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) and RSS formally established as government run News Agency. During Panchayat Period weekly papers were very popular. Interview columns were also very poplar. In 1965, Rising Nepal the first government run daily newspaper was established.

During referendum period, 1979-80 Nepali print press enjoyed freedom as political ban was lifted for a year. It is considered as the period of total Press freedom in panchayat Era. In 1981 Panchayat constitution was amended and limited press freedom was given few papers faced the cancellation of registration.

During 1990, Nepal received new democratic constitution through popular movement . It guaranteed press freedom. Because of it, huge investment entered in to Journalism sector from 19 February 1992, Kantipur and the Kathmandu Post daily started. Many Radio and TV Channels also came into being during this period for the first time in South Asia; FM stations started news casting from Nepal. Another dimentation, online journalism started in Nepal. Killing of 18 Journalist and militarization of newsroom were the setback of this period. Media played a vital role in 19 days movement, Janaandolan II. They became free after May 2006 but Maoists cadres creating problem at present.