Kantipur Publications

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Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd.
कान्तिपुर पब्लिकेशन्स प्रा. लि.
Status Active
Founded 1993
Founder Shyam Goenka
Country of origin Nepal
Headquarters location Tinkune, Kathmandu
Distribution Nepal
Key people Kailash Sirohiya
Publication types Periodical
Imprints Kantipur
The Kathmandu Post
Saptahik
Nepal
Nari
Official website ekantipur.com

Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd. (Nepali: कान्तिपुर पब्लिकेशन्स प्रा. लि.) is a media firm based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The company operates five widely circulated print publications, a national television network, and a radio station. It is the first media organization in Nepal to gain membership to the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN). It was founded by Shyam Goenka and its chairman is Kailash Sirohiya.


History

In February 1993, exactly two years after Nepal’s constitution was amended to permit a free press, Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post were founded by Shyam Goenka, who at barely 29 years of age had a vision of a free press and institutionalisation of journalism in Nepal. He had a setback from the fact that despite the two newspapers registering unprecedented leadership in circulation against the backdrop of there hardly being an example of a newspaper becoming country's largest in such a short span of time anywhere in the world, it did not receive government advertisements, and was forced to transfer part of his shares to Namaste Group (then jointly owned by Binod Gyawali and Kailash Sirohiya) due to financial crunch. "Kantipur" and "The Kathmandu Post" became the first private newspapers in Nepal's history. The two publications quickly found a large audience with the public - as well as contentious relationship with the ruling regime.[1] The two publications have in fact been amongst the strongest pillars in institutionalising and strengthening democracy in Nepal, and have brought about a host of initiatives in the media and enlightenment domains including education, till February 93 not thronged by any broadsheet endeavour until Shyam Goenka, the visionary, gave Nepal a literal 'food for thought' in the form of the aforesaid newspapers for academicians, intellectuals, thinkers, policy makers, political leaders and the rest to delve on issues of development, democracy, peace and more and take the nascent democracy forward towards a reinforced one. Indeed, a deja vu from the year 1990 when democracy was re-established in Nepal would show as to how these two newspapers have shaped and moulded Nepal's democratic destiny. With the initiatives of Shyam Goenka, journalism in Nepal today happens to be one of the most cherished professions for the young literate milieu to opt for and a much respected domain. After Kantipur, at least half a dozen broadsheet dailies sprang up in Nepal over the course of time and the sector has moved towards an organised one since then. The success of Kantipur from the very onset will always stand as a strong case study for the independent media domain across the world. It was promoted at the same time as the two dailies promoted by Ambanis and Thapars in India with large investments, but with limited success, going on to prove that newspaper readership is driven by a very strong bond of loyalty - and making inroads therein, remains an exemplary act. The leadership of Hindustan Times in Delhi, Times of India in Mumbai, Deccan Chronicle in Hyderabad, The Hindu in Chennai, The Indian Express in Kerala, Deccan Herald in Bangalore have been there for several decades and in none of these places may you find the most read newspaper having relegated to the second slot, despite very strong marketing endeavors, e.g., by Times of India in Delhi and Bangalore and in more southern centres of late, by Hindustan Times in Mumbai or by Deccan Chronicle in Chennai, The Hindu in Kerala and so on. The list is endless but the suggestion remains that of a poise of an absolute inelasticity in one's newspaper loyalty - much different from how it is in case of other products, where you find an ever changing leadership pattern. This suggests the unparalleled success of "Kantipur" and "The Kathmandu Post".

These Dailies have been largely responsible in bringing about an improved poise in Human rights, Civic Liberties, Practice of Democratic Principles, Justice, Education, Enlightenment and Empowerment at large across the spectrum and all that goes with a strong non-partisan and independent Press hitherto looked forward to, in this country. It has also helped build a competitive environment in all areas of enlightenment.

Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post in fact have been amongst the greatest landmarks in nation's history for all the positive change that followed.

It is difficult to imagine the democratic course Nepal could have taken in absence of these committed custodians of justice and objectivity.

Yubaraj Ghimire, Narayan Wagle, Prateek Pradhan as editors followed by S Sharma and Akhilesh Upadhyay have carried forward the banners most independently.

The massacre of the royal family in June 2001 prompted the first crisis between Kantipur Publications and the government. Three directors of Kantipur were arrested and charged with "sedition" after publishing comments by a Maoist leader about the death of King Birendra. [2]

The proclamation of a state of emergency on November 26, 2001, by King Gyanendra under the direction of then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba suspended the press freedom guaranteed by the country’s Constitution a decade earlier. Police began a wave of repression: more than fifty journalists were arrested, many publications were banned outright.

Following a February 1, 2005 royal coup by King Gyanendra, Kantipur Publications operated under tighter restrictions. Journalists throughout Nepal were subject to imprisonment and beatings by the Royal Nepal Army. Nevertheless, Kantipur Publications continued to criticize the regime despite the royal proclamation and the ongoing civil war.

In March 2005, Narayan Wagle, editor in chief of Kantipur, was held for questioning by police on suspicion of criticizing the king in print.[3]

During the 2006 uprising, Kantipur Publications continued operations despite increased crackdowns by the monarchy on private media.[4]

Press freedom has been restored since the restoration of democracy in Nepal in May 2006, allowing Kantipur Publications to operate without fear of reprisal by the state.

Trouble with Maoists

In 2007, Kantipur Publications faced pressure from Maoist-aligned organizations such as Young Communist League[5] and the All Nepal Trade Union Federation.[6] However, an agreement was reached between Kantipur and the Federation.[7]

Properties

Newspapers and magazines

  • Kantipur - Daily newspaper, circulation 250,000 - the most widely read newspaper in Nepal. [8]
  • The Kathmandu Post - An English language daily newspaper, circulation 50,000[9]
  • Kopila - A weekly supplement that comes with Kantipur. Targeted towards kids.
  • Saptahik - A weekly entertainment tabloid, circulation 100,000[10]
  • Nepal Weekly - Magazine focusing on politics and society, circulation 37,000[11]
  • Nari - Women’s magazine, monthly circulation 36,000[12]

Broadcasting

  • Kantipur Television Network - Popularly known as “KTV”, provides news and original entertainment. It is an affiliate channel to CNN.
  • Kantipur FM - Provides news and original entertainment throughout the Kathmandu Valley on channel 96.1. The first privately owned and operated FM radio station in Nepal. Established in 1998.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.rsf.org/rsf/uk/html/asie/cplp01/lp01/070601.html
  2. ↑ http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=1455
  3. ↑ http://www.wan-press.org/article7200.html?var_recherche=kantipur
  4. ↑ http://www.wan-press.org/article10089.html?var_recherche=kantipur
  5. ↑ Newspaper Closure: Maoist Madness, by Dinesh Wagle
  6. ↑ Free Press vs Maoists: Updates on Kantipur Struggle, by Dinesh Wagle
  7. ↑ Kantipur and Maoist Agreement, by Dinesh Wagle
  8. ↑ http://www.ekantipur.com/about-us/
  9. ↑ http://www.ekantipur.com/about-us/
  10. ↑ http://www.ekantipur.com/about-us/
  11. ↑ http://www.ekantipur.com/about-us/
  12. ↑ http://www.ekantipur.com/about-us/

External links

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