An Institutional Analysis of Organizational

Change

The Case of Change in Print

media of Nepal
(Since 562 BS to 1979 BS to 2067)

Submitted by:

Darshan Bhattarai
Rameshwor Prajapati

Submitted to:
Mr. Mohan Das Manandhar
Ace Institute of Management
Sinamangal Kathmandu

Dated: 2067/04/32
Contents
Contents..................................................................................................................... 2

Abstract...................................................................................................................... 3

Methods and Data......................................................................................................3

Organizational Continuities.........................................................................................4

Traditional Communication System............................................................................4

Rana period − 1903 to 2007......................................................................................5

“GORKHA BHARAT JEEVAN”........................................................................................5

“SUDHA SAGAR”......................................................................................................... 5

Newspaper publication during Rana Period................................................................6

AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRACY − 2007 to 2017..........................................7

AFTER RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY − 2047 to 2061 Magh....................................8

AFTER SUCCESS OF THE PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT (2063 Baisakh Onwards)..................8

Organizational Changes..............................................................................................9

Conclusion................................................................................................................ 14
Abstract
This article examines the change of the print media as whole and related
issues during this transition. Based on an institutional perspective, it is
argued that the “Gorkhapatra” traditions greatly constrain changes. Where
change has occurred, it has been induced by an extra institutional force that
is strong enough to overcome institutionalized obstacles. The analysis
examines the functionalities of Gorkhapatra and the present private media
as a whole and how it has been transformed from a systematically influenced
phenomenon for relaying the words of the Ranas to the General Public voice
at recent times, at the time that the transition process began, and how it has
responded to its changed environment. The institutional perspective is used
to explain the challenges of the Print Media with the changing equation of
the country politics, From Ranas to Panchayat, to Shah Kingdom to
democracy to present scenario of republic Country. This article provides a
base to discuss the general implications of the Print media experience for
understanding the organizational change that has been introduced in this
country.

Methods and Data

The methods used for this research included mainly personal interviews and
documentary research. These methods were determined on the basis of the
nature of this study, which concerns organizational reforms and related
changes of cultures and values institutionalized in history along with the
countries’ highly influential and dramatic political changes. A study of this
nature focuses on deeply held values and beliefs and historical analysis that
are not subject to questionnaire surveys. The basic approach for this study,
therefore, is qualitative and involves an analysis of Print Media traditions and
their impact on its current practices. For this purpose, we conducted in-depth
face-to-face interviews with journalists, media houses to obtain firsthand
information about their views. We also conducted an extensive search of
Print media records and documents. Because there is a shortage of research
and literature in the country and the lack of resources available for the
documented information, we conducted a series of book review, smaller
paper articles and some of the retired workers of the print media, whose
views and knowledge were documented.

Organizational Continuities

History of media goes parallel with the political history of any country. We
can also witness similar situation in Nepalese context. The history of Nepali
Print media has been immensely influenced by the Nepalese political history.
In fact print media was the main tool of the Then Rulers to
speak/communicate with the public.
The political history of Nepali journalism can be divided into seven phases.
· Rana period
· Period after the establishment of democracy
· Panchayat period
· Period after the restoration of democracy
· Period during king’s regime
· Period following the success of People's Movement-2063 BS onwards

Traditional Communication System

During the period, there were no any aids of print media. Bengal Gazette, as
the first newspaper of the South Asia, was published from Calcutta, India in
1837 BS (1780AD). However, it did not have any effect to the development
of Nepali journalism. Owing to the political, educational, transportation
among many other causes, no influential move took place regarding the
publishing of newspapers in Nepal. 'Katuwal Karaune', 'Jhyali Pitne', 'Sankha
Phukne', 'Damaha Thataune', 'Karnal Phukne' etc. were in practice for public
information and mass communication during this period. Those practices
were in use for a long time and are still in existence in some rural parts of
Nepal. Katuwal played an important role in the history of mass
communication of Nepal; village Panchayat used to appoint them as peons.
Due to the geographical difficulties, illiteracy, backward communities and
other difficulties in the country, Katuwal were more effective than other
modern media including newspapers to disseminate information.

Rana period − 1903 to 2007

This period is considered as the initial phase or beginning of the
development of journalism of Nepal. In 1908 BS, then Prime Minister Jung
Bahadur Rana (JBR) imported a hand press instruments in Nepal from Europe
in course of his visit there. Although it was used for publication purpose only
after 58 years of its entry into Nepal, It was said to be the first press machine
here. It was kept at JBR's then Palace at Thapathali, Kathmandu. Due to the
trademark of an eagle pasted in the machine, it was often called 'Giddhe
Press'. But its official name was Type Printing Press '.

“GORKHA BHARAT JEEVAN”

This was the Nepali magazine brought out from Banaras, India. This is first
media outlet in Nepali language. Ram Krishna Barma served as the founder
editor of this magazine brought out on the prime initiative of great scholar
Moti Ram Bhatta. Gorkha Bharat Jeevan was a monthly magazine based on
literature. It was Printed at Bharat Jeevan Press, Banaras which was owned
by Editor himself. There was no uniformity regarding the date of its
publication, however, different dates are found in the history of journalism.

“SUDHA SAGAR”
Sudhasagar was a monthly literary magazine published as the first print
media outlet from Nepal. This is the second publication in Nepali language. It
was published in Shrawan, 1955 BS and Pandit Naradev Pandey and Kapil
Dev were the editors of the magazine. The magazine was printed at
Pashupat Press, Thahiti of Kathmandu. Being inspired by Motiram Bhatta, the
two youths took initiative to publish this magazine.
“GORKHAPATRA”
Gorkhapatra started to get published after two years and ten months of the
publication of the Sudhasagar. It was first printed in Baisakh 24, Monday of
1958, (May 6 1901). With the publishing of Gorkhapatra, Nepal has entered
into the newspaper development era in the history of Nepali journalism.
Gorkhapatra is the first Nepali newspaper, second press publication and third
press publication in Nepali language. Gorkhapatra was published in the
period of the Rana regime where civil rights and democracy was no more in
Nepal. Prime Minister Dev Shumsher JBR was more liberal and reformist in
comparison to other Rana Rulers. Therefore, the publication of Gorkhapatra
was made possible with his liberal thoughts. It was also one of the
reformative initiatives among others brought out during his rule in Nepal. He
handed over the Giddhe Press and Litho Press to Nardev and authorized him
to publish Gorkhapatra under the supervision of Lt. Conl.Dilli Samsher Thapa.
But, Dev Shumsher JBR was subjected to victim by his brother Chandra
Shumsher .JBR's conspiracy and overthrown from Prime Minister's post.
Chandra Shumsher JBR ruled for 31 years as he was a hardliner ruler. In his
period there was no chance to have other newspaper published.

Newspaper publication during Rana Period

• Sudha Sagar
• Gorkhapatra
• Sharada: Monthly newspaper started publishing in 1991 Falgun,
Editor: Rhiddi Bahadur Malla,
• Udhyog: Fortnightly magazine published first in 1992 BS, Editor :
Suryabhakta Joshi .
Juddha S. JBR was positive to develop media industry in the country.
So, this newspaper was published as a journal to impart industrial
information. But it was converted to the literary magazine after two
 years .It got published having various poems of great poet Laxmi
Prasad Devkota.
• Sahitya Shrot: Baisakh, 2004 BS, Monthly Literary Magazine, Editor:
Hridayachandra Singh Pradhan;
• Gharelu Ilam Patrika: Jestha, 2004 BS, Fortnightly, Editor: Bhimnidhi
Tiwari. It was published by Gharelu Ilam Prachar Adda (government
office)
• Shikshya: Jestha, 2004 BS, Fortnightly, Editor: Bhimnidhi Tiwari .
• Kathmandu Municipal Patrika : Manghsir, 2004 BS, Fortnightly,
published on the initiative of Kathmandu municipality .
• Nepal Shikshya: Asoj, 2005 BS, Monthly, A team of five editors
headed by Trailokyanath Upreti published the magazine.
• Ankha: Asoj, 2005 BS, Monthly, Editor: Devi Prasad Rimal
• Purusartha: Poush, 2006 BS, Monthly literary magazine , Editor :
Budhisagar Seshraj Sharma.
• Jagaran Weekly: Falgun, 2007 BS, Editor: Hridayachandrasingh
Pradhan. It was the first weekly newspaper published from the private
sector and first anti–Rana newspaper.

AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRACY − 2007 to 2017

This period is taken as the initial stage of the Nepalese journalism. Within 24
hours of the proclamation of democracy, 'Awaj' the first daily news paper of
Nepal was published in Falgun 8, 2007 from Kathmandu. It presented a
Banner headline news on royal proclamation of democracy establishment,
along with photograph of King Tribhuvan in its first issue. Unfortunately, Awaj
sustained just for two years.
Gorkhapatra became daily from 2017 Falgun 7 (after 59 years of its
publication). Gopal Pd. Bhattarai was first editor of daily Gorkhapatra. The
Rising Nepal national daily published in 2022 Paush 1, Editor Barun S. JBR.
Other dailies; Hamro Desh, Naya Nepal, Nabin Khabar, Naya Samaj, Nirman
(Biratnagar), Jana Jeevan (Birgunj), Dainik Nirnaya (Pokhara / Bhairahawa).
AFTER RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY − 2047 to 2061
Magh
This period is regarded as the phase of modern and professional journalism
in the history of Nepali journalism. After the success of people's movement,
new constitution (Nepal's constitution 2047) has guaranteed the press
freedom and right to information to people. Wide impact of this provision has
been seen to the media sector.
The door has been opened for huge investment and from private sector,
Kantipur Publications established with ambitious investment of more than
Rs.30 million ( 3 crore). Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post, the first
broad sheet national dailies from private sector were published in 2049
Falgun 7th. Due to the popularity in the short time many other broadsheet
dailies came out. Some of them sustained and some went out from the sight.
Shree Sagarmatha, Everest Herald (English daily), Lokpatra, Space
Time, Space Today, Shree Deurali, Naya Sadak stopped their
publication not because of government but by their own problem.
Simultaneous publication also started to get published. Nepal
Samacharpatra started to publish from Biratnagar since 2058, Baisakh.
Kantipur started since 2061 Ashar from Bharatpur. Newspaper publications
were also stared from outside the country. For example Nepal
Samacharpatra initiated its publishing from Doha, Qatar since 2062 Ashead,
although it could not sustain for a long time. Now Kantipur and Rajdhani
dailies have their weekly publication from Doha but not simultaneous.
Newspaper publication in different languages was started and going on.

AFTER SUCCESS OF THE PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT (2063

Baisakh Onwards)
Nepali press media played an important role against king's regime. However
with the tagline of being a Government media, Gorkhapatra was a lone
media who was with the government of Nepal for its movement. The other
private media however fought for the freedom of press and democracy. This
was triggering a major impact on the functionalities and was raising
questions against the Gorkhapatra for its loyalty to State or the people of the
state.
Government took initiative for overall development of media .Some
important achievements of this time are:
• High Level Commission for Media Recommendation.
• High Level Taskforce to recommend restructuring the government
media.
• Right to Information Act, 2064
• First Amendment in working journalist Act
• Minimum wages recommendation commission of the working journalist
• Clear provision about press freedom in interim constitution (even in
preamble)
• State run media are also enjoying more press freedom
• No any journalists in jail
• Various television channels and newspapers are coming out with huge
investment.

Organizational Changes

In the ancient times trained pigeons, eagles, parrot, mainahs were supposed
to deliver oral and written messages to particular persons or homes,
described in the fables and tales of different kind. Then King Mandev (521-
562 BS) founded the earliest Shilalekh, an inscription on stone to inform
about his monumental temple named Changunarayan. This age was
significant at the time being were the flow of information has been
revolutionary. Though the information flow was not sufficient at that
scenario, it was equally sufficient for the then government to acquire and
release the information flow. However this is by no means can be related to
the print media, this did however show the need of the culture then to
establish the flow of information. Moreover we can safely assume the ABC
(accountability, balance, credibility) of the Print media started from this age.
Hence though the printing media started later in Nepal, this age can be
considered to be significant that brought about change in the Nepalese
community.
After Janga Bhd Rana brought the famous “Giddhe Press” from Britan in 1908
B.s, this laid the foundation for the probable print media establishment in
Nepal. However it took around 58 years for a print media to come in Nepal.
The initiation of print media evolved in Nepal officially in 1958 Baisakh 24,
10:10 am. But there has been a significant change before the establishment
of the Gorkhapatra. Moti Ram Bhatta, “YUVA KABI”, was very keen in
establishment of the newspaper in Nepal. However then Prime minister BIr
Samaser JBR wasn’t very keen on that. He was aware of the consequences of
the information rich public. He however tried a lot to anchor Moti Ram Bhatta
against the print media establishment. Moti ram Bhatta However had some
different plans, he published “Gorkha Bharat Jeevan” in 1943 B.S. Unverified
history also suggests that after the death of Bir Samsher Rana, his Brother
Dev Samsher JBR, took the idea of print media as a tool to be more
innovative Kings of the times. It is also belived that the Gorkha Bharat Jeevan
was picked up and was formed Gorkhapatra in 1958 B.S.
For the rise of the print media, Gorkhapatra laid a foundation. However it
was just a media to convey and praise the state owner, then prime ministers.
However another major intension of Gorkhapatra was to create the space for
the literature in Nepal. May be due to the direct influence of moti Ram
Bhatta, Siddhi Charan Shretha, the cultivation of the literature talenst in
Nepal was one of the prior issure of the magazine then. Gorkhapatra
however shall remain a pioneer in Nepalese History for cultivating Nepali
language and literature. Initial issues of Gorkhapatra covered articles like the
Bridge development at Bagmati, a French News and a news related to
entertainment program set up at the Tudikhel for the then His Majesty.
For years print media in Nepal was just a tool for relaying the summaries and
information of the state owners to the general public. However there was a
significant change in the culture with the injection of the Print Media in
Nepal. Several print media came in picture as mentioned in above historic
development; they were subjected for curtailed information. By this time
Gorkhapatra was moving high and below in its circulation. It was around the
issue of 2001 Jestha 24, a news realted to the exchange currency values of
Nepal and India. This was one amongs the greater change that Nepal has
seen as the major impact of the interest of the Gorkhapatra in the business
Sector as well. “Jagaran Weekly”, established on Falgun, 2007 BS, by
Hridayachandrasingh Pradhan, the first weekly newspaper published from
the private sector and first anti–Rana newspaper. This has initiated a change
in the Nepalese print media. By this time Print media has been playing a
significant role in the awareness campaign of the Nepalese people. In 2003,
Posh 8, Gorkhapatra became the first newspaper to print twice a day. This
effort was due to the growing need of information in Nepalese people. People
were becoming more literate and were demanding information, in rural area
obiviously.
After the 2007, there was one of the great revolutions in the history of
Nepalese Print Media, Awaaj, the first daily newspaper was launched from
the very next day of democracy announcement by King Tribhuvan. This
newspaper brought about a revolution in print media in terms of number of
Print media and the content wise inclusion. Several newspapers appeared in
the market thereafter.
The rise in the demand of information saw Gorkhapatra go on to be the first
Daily Newspaper on Falgun 7, 2017 dropping it’s twice a day plan. Thereafter
The Rising Nepal was established in 2022 B.S. with the increase in the aware
reader in Nepal, Gorkhapatra realized there was a market in the English
Newspaper as well. Nepali newspapers like Naya Samaj, NepalSamachar,
Dainik Samachar, Halkhabar, Diyalo, Prabakta, Filingo, etc., English
newspapers like The Commoner, the Motherland, Everest News, Hindi
newspaper Taranga, Jay Nepal, Sahi Rasta, etc. were also in the list of those
that were published in these era.
Though Media was growing up very satisfactorily, it was always under some
certain power houses to sustain in the then existing scenario. Hence the
news published then wasn’t a satisfactory one, where the manipulated news
was one of the trends in the News Publishing. This was by and large due to
the fact that the political scenario was dragging in the public from one camp
to the other. The use of the political influences in the Newspaper publication
was also the major problem of the Gorkhapatra. It was the official media still,
besides it was supposed to guard and protect the image of the Shah Kings
Then or one may say the PANCHAYAT. However there were several
developments in the committee formation where the need was tried to cater
of the Journalist and the media person, specially the Print Media. Nepal was
still lacking a proper digital Media still at that time. At 2018 Falgun 7, Two
news agencies Sagarmatha Sambad Samiti and Rasitriya Samvad Samiti
were merged naming Rastriya Sambad Samiti, 2033 BS, Journalism
education was begun in RR Campus on intermediate level, 2038 BS, Royal
Press Commission was formed to address the issues of media problems and
2041 BS a private journalism training center called Nepal Press Institute (NPI)
was established.
After the Era of the Panchayat, there was another political Turmoil. A New
System was in place in Nepal For the third time since the establishment of
the first formal print media. This time there were greater changes in country.
The new Constitution was drafted. One of them major changes that was
incorporated in this constitution was the Press Freedom related issues and
the entrance of the private Sector in Nepal. This saw Media houses like
Kantipur entering the country with Whooping 30 million Investments.
Gorkhapatra was now loyal to the new prime minister of Nepal. Kantipur
came along and brought about the change in the definition of the print
media in Nepal. The Private sector was here to earn money and hence they
went on for better news and a different perspective that can attract the
attention of the public. Several other print media entered in the market at
the same era. However most of them got shut down due to not necessarily
the country’s problem.
Around this time there was introduction of the Child magazine from
Gorkhapatra “Muna”. This was one of the changes that tried to bring about
the inclusion of a whole new set of the reader for them, Children category.
However lately, every other magazine provided a supplementary pages for
the children’s for the issue.
Again there was another Political Turmoil in Nepal after the People’s
Movement-II. This however didn’t bring about any change physically in the
Print media. However this even in the Nepal history can certainly be
remembered as one of the significant events where the Nepalese Media as a
whole was playing the Third angle in the countries Politics besides the king
and political Parties. Namely Kantipur can be remembered as the eighth part
due to its influential capture over the countries people in terms of
Information. This revolution secured the press right of information and open
debate in the circle of the journalism. Nepalese journalism and hence the
Print Media in Nepal got the due importance respect and significant impact in
the Nepalese society.
Off late there has a social reform in Nepal. There are several issues that are
being covered in Nepal, one of them being inclusiveness. Gorkhapatra had
incorporated the inclusiveness in the paper itself by issuing the Newspaper
and allocation some section/page to the several communities in Nepal on the
daily basis. Hence there has been a social reform in the Nepalese Print
media. Besides the professionalism developing and the highly competitive
environment in the Print media in the present Scenario has been one of the
major factor that has shown the way for the greater pattern change in the
future as well. With the stiff competition in Nepal, There has been a neck to
neck competition of the magazine issues as shown below.
The Competition at present however is fruitful for the Nepalese citizens,
there are the consequences. People are entitled to more un-verified news
and the YELLOW JOURNALISM due to cut Throat competition in the market.
There are several issues like the newspaper being governed by the
influences so as to create a market wave are some of the key issues that
engulf the Print Media as a whole. At present Context, The print media faces
a stiff challenge from the rise in the computer and internet era. This has
brought about the tendency of the public top shift from the classic old print
media to a desktop related e-magazine getting the news then and there.
Waiting for the news till next day has been a term of yesterday.

Conclusion

This study uses the institutional perspective to study how the Print media
responded to changes in its institutional environment. We noted that the
political changes of the country have a greater influence over the Print
media. These issues of the Print media where they have been depended over
the government direction in the past to the influential impact of the present
have always been influential in the later stages of its development. Three
significant points of the Print media changes are the Entrance of the Giddhe
press, revolutionary of the 2007 for entrance of much press and the post
2047 democratic movement.
Overall, the institutional perspective as applied to the case of the Print media
illustrates how the political environment affects the practices and behaviors
organization and its responses to external challenges. Nonetheless, this
study has been constrained by the lack of a better understanding of the
manners in which external impact actually take place, the process of
institutionalization, and the role of the Print media in shaping its institutional
context. Because practices and external factors may be different in different
locations, researchers and practitioners should use caution in generalizing
the responses of the Print media to changes and challenges in its
institutional environment to other police organizations.