November 16: Media associations and broadcasters of Nepal have raised concerns regarding a statement issued by the Advertisement Board on November 11 regarding the dissemination of advertisements related to tobacco and alcoholic products.

The Advertisement Board had instructed all the bodies concerned to fully abide by the legal provisions while producing and disseminating advertisements related to alcoholic and tobacco products.  Stating that some newspapers and several media were found displaying advertisements of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products during the festive season and the same practice was noticed in hoarding boards placed at different parts of the country, the board said it is against the Public Health Act- 2075 BS and the Advertising Regulations Act-2076 BS.    

Issuing a joint statement on Sunday (November 14), Nepal Media Society, Radio Broadcasters Forum Nepal and Advertisement Association of Nepal expressed dissatisfaction over such notice issued by the board without consulting with the stakeholders. The statement noted that the advertisement industry had just started to claw back to its feet in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis when the board issued such notice that discourages them to operate their business.

“Government authorities collect millions of rupees as revenue from businessmen while the production, sale and distribution of the products mentioned by the board has not been banned. In this context, is it a crime to advertise the same product? This is not just,” reads the statement.

The statement added that the products that are advertised are produced legally and the advertisement part only focuses on high-quality products. Banning the advertisement of such products only encourages illegally-produced products, added the statement.

They also added that the government should protect millions of investment poured into this sector and also come up with a clear view regarding the management of those who will lose their jobs because of the new policy.