The hearing on a case filed at the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to restrict the publication and broadcast of government advertisements through private media could not take place on Monday, April 13.
Although the case was listed before a joint bench of Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Tek Prasad Dhungana, it could not be heard due to time constraints.
Earlier, on April 7, the Supreme Court issued a show-cause notice to the government, asking it to clarify the legal basis of its decision. Following a hearing last Tuesday, a single bench of Justice Megh Raj Pokharel had directed the government to appear for discussions on whether an interim order should be issued.
Advocate Ananta Raj Luintel, representing the Nepal Media Society, filed the writ petition on April 6, challenging the restriction.
The controversy stems from an April 1 circular issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), directing all public bodies to publish and broadcast government notices and advertisements only through state-owned outlets—Gorkhapatra, Radio Nepal and Nepal Television.
The Nepal Media Society, an umbrella body representing major media houses, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the directive, stating that it undermines constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and media rights.
The writ petition cites provisions of the Advertisement (Regulation) Act, 2019, the Advertisement (Regulation) Rules, 2020, and the Constitution, arguing that the decision violates legal safeguards protecting media rights and freedom of expression.
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