Imapct of Nepalese FM Radios in Northern Bihar State of India (A Listenership Survey Report)

Chapter - One (Introduction)

1.1 Statement of Problem
Government of Nepal has issued licenses to dozens of television channels and hundreds of radio stations throughout the country. Hence, the audio signals and electromagnetic waves of radio transmitters are covering entire sky of Nepal. Because the Nepalese people with weaker economic condition, low purchase capacity and small literacy rate are highly dependent on radios, numbers of community based and commercial station are on air every 24 and 7. However, their signals are not only limited within the political boundary of Nepal, but are penetrating the northern Indian cities and villages via air plus worldwide through internet. This research endeavors to discover the listenership to Nepalese radio stations out of the native land, especially on the far northern Indian areas of Bihar sharing border to Nepal.

Indian television channels are viewed in Nepalese houses and movies are watched in Nepalese theatres. Because Nepal shares its border in three different sides to India, the regional power puts influence on every field in Nepal. At this age of globalization, such effects can't be stopped today. Now the question is whether such influence is single track or double. Is there any influence back to the neighboring people? Are Nepalese media able to reach Indian cities and villages?

Champaran is north western area of Bihar, a state of India. It comprises two districts: east and west Champaran with 3969 sq. km and 5229 sq. km areas and 3,933,636 and 3,043,044 population respectively. These districts share borders to the southern Parsa and Chitwan districts of Nepal. The life of the people there is very similar to the people of Teraian Nepal. Regardless of difference in nationality, the people in these districts have marital, business and other relations. As Nepal has progressed a lot in the sector of radio transmission, signals of Nepalese radios are reaching to Indian side equally effectively. The research is an attempt to find out the listenership of Nepalese radios and their effects to these Indian people and villages.

1.2 Objectives of the Research:
The research aims to:

1. Find the listenership of Nepalese radios (basically the FM stations of Parsa, Rupandehi and Chiwan districts) out of country but within their technical transmission area.
2. Analyz the effects of their audio transmission outside.
3. Know the feelings & opinions of Indian listeners to Nepalese radios.
4. Find the coverage of Nepalese radio stations outland (basically, in the districts of Champaran and state of Bihar).
5. Know the improvements for international coverage and production.
6. Seek the way to hold international listeners and grow business.

Chapter - Two (Literature review)

2.1 Review of the Literature
Several research and studies are carried out on the subject of mass media by various organizations and numbers of individuals during past days. But the issue of Nepalese radio's listenership in India is a newer one. While going through the search of reports, no significant documents could be amassed. Certain geographic and audience research made by Nepalese media organizations or radio stations are limited within the territory of Nepal. Birgung, Butwal and Bharatpur based FM stations have however endeavored to find their reach out of border and also have collected some feedbacks from Indian listeners. Besides, only a few news articles on this issue were found in the national and local newspapers of Nepal. Hence, it can be said that the very report is the first ever planned effort to discover Indian people's listenership to Nepalese FM radio stations.

Chapter - Three (Research Methodology)

3.1 Limitations of Research
Nepal shares nearly two thousands kilometer long border in east, south and west to Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Arunanchal Pradesh respectively. But this very research is limited to Nepal's central southern area's radios internship in respect to the Bihar state's northwest districts of East and West Champaran only. Fifty Indian people aging 10 to 50 years were taken as samples from the village areas near to Bagaha, Harinagar, Tribhawni, Narakatiyagunj, Gaunaha, Sikata and Raxaul. The finding and conclusions of this research may not be applicable or similar to other border side Indian areas and people.

3.2 Collection of Data
Facts and data are essential because they are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively to collect conclusions. In the very research, the following two types of sources are used for collecting data.

• Primary source
• Secondary source

Among the various methods of collecting data, the system of mixed questionnaire under survey method is applied. The result of questionnaire is supposed to be the primary source whereas newspaper articles and related information collected in Nepalese radio stations are placed as secondary source.

3.3 Formulation of Hypothesis
The following points are taken as the hypothesis for the research.

1. The listenership of Nepalese radio stations in north India is average.
2. North Indian radio listeners prefer hearing Bhojpuri and Hindi music rather than English and Nepali songs.
3. Nepalese radios have put some average effects on behavioral, linguistic and cultural aspect on their Indian audiences.
4. Indian state run radios and privately owned big radios are tuned more than Nepalese radios having lower frequency output capacity.
5. The coverage of Nepalese radio stations is limited to few northern most areas of Champaran and not to the inner or central parts of the district and Bihar.

Chapter - Four (Data Processing)

4.1 Data Presentation and Analysisa. Radio Listening Habit among the People of Champaran:
(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Most audience do have a habit of listening radios. Nearly half (48 percent) people do enjoy radios during their leisure. One third (32 percent) among the people are active radio listeners whereas 10 percent people remain with radio every time. 4 percent people are fully deprived of radio and rest 6 percent people have no passion or attraction on radios.

b. Preferred Program Type:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Majority of (44 percent) audiences prefer enjoying Entertainment and musical shows in radios. 20 percent people listen news based programs and interviews. Other 16 percent audiences like hearing informative and educational programs. Some 14 percent audiences prefer these all type programs whereas 6 percent like none of these.

c. Preferred Transmission (Ownership) Type:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Here comes a surprise. The people of Champaran districts staying close to Nepal prefer tuning Nepalese radios than their native stations. Nearly one third (32 percent) audiences like Nepalese radios and FM transmissions to hear. State run radios are popular among 22 percent and privately regulated radios share 20 percent audiences. Some 18 percent audiences prefer all type transmissions whereas 8 percent like none.

d. Opinion on Intra-nation Transmission:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
The people of north Indian Bihar's Champaran districts are mostly opinion less with 28 percent not commenting on the topic. However, 26 percent of them think such intra nation transmission is good if monitored well by the concerned governing organs. Other 24 percent people accepted it as good as it is being practiced now. 18 percent people put no objection but 4 percent people regarded such cross border transmissions as unacceptable and unethical.

e. Cause of listening Nepalese Radios:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Suggested by the data, it should be understood that the people of Champaran area also listen Nepalese radios besides their own for basically entertainment and musical purpose with 42 percent counting.
The next surprise to the Nepalese radio technicians and entrepreneurs comes with the finding that 28 percent Indians prefer tuning Nepalese radio stations for quality sound outputs and better signals. 14 percent audiences tune to Nepalese radios to learn Nepali language whereas 12 percent of them tune for news and proximity. Other 4 percent listen Nepalese radios for undefined causes.

f. Most Heard Nepalese radio Program Type:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Once again here comes the 'entertainment', carrying 56 percent audience listenership with it as the giant among the causes of tunings followed by news based programs with only 16 percent. Informative Nepalese programs are heard by 14 percent audience. 10 percent listen to all and 4 percent listeners hear undefined Nepalese programs.

g. Most Heard Music Transmitted Via Nepalese Radios: (Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Result can be seen as per the presumed hypothesis. North Indian people (in Champaran belt) are Bhojpuri speakers; hence the majority (nearly 40 percent) audiences prefer Bhojpuri music followed by Hindi songs for 30 percent. 18 percent of them like Nepali songs and music. 8 percent people like to hear all type songs and 4 percent enjoy others type music.

h. Linguistic Effects of Radio:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Due to the transmission of Nepalese programs, the north Indian radio audiences are having linguistic effects too. 42 percent of them can somehow understand Nepali language while 24 percent can somewhat communicate. But still 18 percent of them are totally unknown and unable with Nepali language while 6 percent claims to be fluent in Nepali. Rest 10 percent are indifferent to the issue.

i. Behavioral Effects of Radio:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
30 percent among the North Indian audience learnt (at least) to understand Nepali language. The next important outcome is that 22 percent audiences have started enjoying & favoring Nepali music and culture. 20 percent people are benefited with behavioral awareness while 18 percent people are affected to all of these. Only 10 percent could remain indifferent to Nepalese radio station's behavioral effects.

j. Expectations from Nepalese Radio Stations:(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
The north Indian Champaran belt dwellers wish to hear more programs in Bhojpuri language. Some 38 percent among the people wished and suggested so, while 26 percent audiences hoped and put a request of transmitting Hindi songs and music. 14 percent among them desired to get their local news and information via Nepalese radios and 12 percent suggested for technological upgrading so that they can enjoy better audio signals. 10 percent amongst the answerers put miscellaneous suggestions such as accepting their telephone calls in phone-in-programs, quiz shows or question segments. An interviewee in Tribhawani village strongly desired to meet Nepalese radio presenters. As a whole, the audience of Champaran wishes betterment of Nepalese radio stations.

4.2 Find Out:
Despite the estimated transmission area within Nepal and targeted home audiences, Nepalese radio stations are also tuned in the border touched Indian villages and towns. As the Indian media (especially the television stations) are making markets in Nepal, the Nepalese radio stations, transmitting from the southern part of country can join the similar race. Verifying the hypothesis, following points are the outcome of this study.

1. The people of Northern Indian district of Champaran are mostly dependent on Indian and Nepalese radio stations for news, information and entertainment.
2. The audiences of Champaran prefer hearing Bhojpuri and Hindi music rather than English and Nepali songs. They also prefer entertainment programs than informative or news based shows.
3. Nepalese radios have put important effects on behavioral, linguistic and cultural changes of their cross border audiences.
4. Nepalese radio stations are competing to Indian state run radios and privately owned big radios despite the low power frequency output in comparison of Indian FM stations.
5. The coverage of Nepalese radio stations is basically limited to the far northern areas and not on central parts of Indian Bihar state.
6. North Indian listeners have positive feeling towards Nepalese radios.
7. The listenership of Nepalese radio stations in north India is average.

4.3 Conclusion and Recommendations
Nepalese radio stations transmitting in the southern Terai should produce more programs in Bhojpuri language and broadcast enough Hindi, Tharu, Maithili and Bhojpuri songs in target to the Indian audiences. They should catch the Indian market and grow their business despite the international border. Radios emphasizing communal benefits should transmit also for their listeners beyond border. News, information and updates on the Indian area of their coverage should be given proper space and importance. Awareness generating programs should be given targeting Indian areas of listenership because the reach of local administrative organs and the care of government are extremely low in those areas. Today's world under globalization demands international or borderless thoughts, practices and business. So, why not to turn these problems into prospects?

4.4 References:

1. Peshal Dahal & Som Prased Khatiwada; Research Methodology (M.K. Publishers - 2058)
2. Denis McQuail; McQuail's Mass Communication Theory - Fifth Edition ( Vistaar Publications - 2000 )
3. Champaran editions of Dainik Jagaran & Hundustan Times (India)
4. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champaran)
5. Official Website of Champaran Land (http://www.champaran.in)
6. Bihar Government Webste (http://gov.bih.nic.in)
7. Brand Bihar Dot Com (http://www.brandbihar.com)
8. Newspapers collection at National Library, Hariharbhawan Lalitpur.
9. Information and feedbacks in Nepalese FM stations of Birgunj, Butwal and Bharatpur.

The History of Internet & Online Journalism in Nepal (A Seminar paper)

Background:

The rapid development of the world is credited to the advancement in communication technology which has helped globalization and is leading the humankind towards a similar type thought, culture and lifestyle. Started with the invention of Gutenberg's printing press in 1456, the modern journalism has reached the summit of advancement with introduction of online media. Today we have internet that comprises the audio, video, photo and the text. Hence, the online publication can also be defined as the mingled form of radio, television and print journalism.

As professed by the experts during the late twentieth century in Washington DC, the world today is observing a revolution in communication. It has put a firm effect towards the government, society, politics and human acts. The communication revolution is compared to the industrial revolution of the late eighteenth century Europe, substituting agriculture.

As Nepal is an important part of the world, it cannot remain isolated to the development of means of communication. Despite the pace and techniques, the information and communication technology, e-commerce and online journalism are growing in Nepal. Along with the sector of journalism, the arenas of business, academia, agriculture, environment and many more are also using the online media in today's Nepal. Under such background, here's an attempt to present the definition, situation and development of online journalism in context of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

What is internet?
Internet functions under the mingled technology of Telecommunication and computer. It is a platform that annexes the entire electronic signals of the world to a net and enables the users to access their required information, knowledge, ideas, entertainment, education, opportunities and more in digital form. The former vice president of United States Al Gore defined it as the information super highway. Telecommunication is the basic need for internet without which it's functioning isn't possible yet. In next words, the internet is a network of digital information worldwide.

History of internet:
The age of internet is hardly four decades. It was first used to transfer data under a network of four computers associated to universities researchers and later to the United States Defense Force during 1960's in which underwater cables were stretched and connected to the systems for transferring information. The project was named as Advanced Research Project Agency ('ARPANET' in short). The channel was simply used for secrecy in defense but not for any journalistic purposes. Later in 1990, the British scientist Tim Berners-Lee developed the necessary codes to publish a website named Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). It speeded the development of online publication. Today, the world is enjoying more advanced technologies such as CSS, PHP and MySQL for web publication. Web hosting and domain registration service provider agencies are established worldwide. The consequence is the availability of any needed or searched information of any longitude.

Internet in Nepal:
The credit of introducing internet in Nepal goes to the senior journalist Mr. Bharat Dutta Koirala. He introduced e-mail under the name of 'electronic mailbox' during immediate post Jana Aandolan period. The users of the mailbox were 'World View Nepal' and 'Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalist (NEFEJ)'. Next to that the then Royal Nepal Academy of Science & Technology (RONAST)' started using e-mail using the PC-trunk dial to India.

'Mercantile Communication' became the first professional organization to introduce net facility in Nepal with the service of e-mail in 2051 BS.  Next to the Mercantile, 'Worldlink' started providing internet services in Kathmandu valley. The business competition between these two companies helped fostering and increasing the access of Nepalese people and organizations to internet. Today's giant ISP 'Nepal Telecom (Nepal Telecommunications Corporation)' started to provide internet on 2058 BS, causing thousands of Nepalese to subscribe and connect internet in their homes, rooms and offices easily.

Today Nepal Telecom has become the largest ISP followed by several companies such as United Telecom Limited, Mercantile Communication, Worldlink, Vianet, Spice Nepal, Broadlink, Everest, Speedcast, Websurfer etc. The rural districts of Manang, Mustang and Jumla are using VSAT internet. Wireless WI-Fi service has been started in Kathmandu valley by Broadlink.  Mobile WAP and GPRS service provided by Nepal Telecom and Ncell in their GSM system has brought the internet to the hands and palms of hundreds of thousands Nepalese people.

Development of Online Journalism:
The internet was developed in the western hemisphere during 1970's, even before the introduction of IBM computer system. It sounds funny hearing that people would use internet in television and not in computer set during the starting phase. Up to 1970's, computer would be used to store and process data of internet and television screen would display it. It was because of the then computer's size, weight and cost, much larger and heavier than today's. Such technology in which a 'decoder box' would be annexed to viewer's television set for receiving data lasted as late as 1990.

Two different technologies of online journalism were developed during 1970's.  The first is 'Tele text' and the second 'Video text'. Tele text technology was first used by BBC under the heading of 'Ceefax' in which news and graphs would be sent to the TV set and the users could read or view selecting from the primary listing of information via remote controller. It’s a single track communication technology, originally developed for the deaf audiences, in which users can't put forward their feedbacks. BBC has declared its Ceefax service will end by 2012 AD. On the next side was video text in which two way communications became possible. In this technology, computer was used to send electronic signals. Data transferred through it could be viewed in television, computer or video monitor. In this process, Telephone wire, two line or network cables and wireless technology are used to create a network. Today's World Wide Web is developed form of video text technology.

Online or e-journalism is the process of delivering or publishing news and information to the viewers via internet and computer. It was developed parallel to the internet. It displays texts, figures, audios and videos in mingled form, carrying the characteristics of print, radio and television journalism together. Today anyone can be a reporter, editor or publisher with internet based sites or pages.

The US based site 'Chicago Tribune' is supposed to be the first modern online publication. It was first appeared online on 1992 AD pioneering the path of internet journalism. Now-a-days, thousands of news portals and online version of various Medias can be accessed on internet. The news agencies like AP, AFP, Xinhua, Reuters etc and media organizations like BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Fox news, CRI etc are also available online. Besides, millions of informative and entertainment based sites and blogs are also available.

Development of Online Journalism in Nepal:
As the first Nepalese newspaper was published abroad, i.e. in India; the first online publication about Nepal was also published abroad, i.e. in United States. Nepalese people residing in US published a news site about Nepal named 'The Nepal Digest (TND) in 1992 under the leadership of Rajpal Singh. The publication was regular at the beginning but went irregular before it shut down after the 449th edition. Later, New York based 'TND Foundation' resumed its regular publication since 2003 up to 2005 AD.

In case of mainland Nepal, 'The Kathmandu Post' started its online version's publication on 1995 AD, as a joint venture to Mercantile Communication. Kantipur Publication claims it to be the first online version of newspaper in the entire south Asian sub-continent. The publication was available on Mercantile hosted and run business website: www.southasia.com. Despite the fewer number of online readers in Nepal, the site got much popularity outside Nepal. Later, Mercantile published a new and full fledged Nepalese news site on the domain of www.nepalnews.com. It was hosted since 1999 AD (Kartik 2056 BS), comprising the online newspapers of southasia.com and contemporary major print publications of Nepal. It's considered credible and accurate on Nepalese news internationally.
The first Nepalese online page to host on its own domain is Himal South Asia under www.himalmag.com which started publishing on1997. Many Nepalese publication houses were still indifferent to web at the moment Himal was clickable online. Afterwards Kantipur publication moved to web on the domain of www.kantipuronline.com and later www.ekantipur.com keeping it's dominance on Nepalese internet world as well. The site is a platform of its total publications - Kantipur, The Kathmandu Post, Kantipur Saptahik, Kantipur Qatar, Nepal and Naari. During the recent days, all major broadsheets are publishing electronically. The state run Gorkhapatra Corporation's news and informative publications are available on www.gorkhapatra.org.np. Similarly Kamana Publication is running its news site www.newsofnepal.com.  Rajdhani national daily's www.rajdhani.com.np and The Himalayan Times cum Annapurna Post's www.thehimalayantimes.com are also online. The UCPN (Maoist)'s publications such as Janadisha daily and Janadesh Weekly are available on www.krishnasenonline.org. The famous weekly Jana Aastha is appearing on www.janaaasthanews.com and other weeklies are collectively published online via Mercantile hosted site: www.nepalnews.com. News sites hosted out of mainland Nepal such www.nepalipost.com, www.nepaljapan.com, www.nepalkuwait.com etc are also popular among the Nepalese internet users nationally and internationally.

Online Blogging:
The changed version of online journalism, where the unedited news, views, reviews and posts can be read or write is blog. The personal 'open diaries' publication in US Universities on 1996 AD can be assumed as the beginning of web blogging and today it has become a lifestyle. The western world has approved it as grass root journalism and the bloggers are considered to be the journalists. In case of Nepal it's simply limited to citizen journalism because of the limited access and availability of internet or computer knowledge nationwide.

The technology for blogging is easy and it's accessible to everyone. Registering a domain is not necessary for blogging, though some blogs are hosted on registered domains and operated similar to a website. The Google's blog hosting site www.blogger.com is especially famous among bloggers worldwide. Besides, www.wordpress.com, www.typepad.com and even the MSN, facebook, flicker and myspace pages are used for posting blogs.
Blogging is supposed to have started in Nepal with the publication of www.blog.com.np in which nearly half a dozen journalists are continuously posting their pages under the slogan of 'United we blog for a democratic Nepal'. Except it, there are hundreds of blogging pages hosted by journalists, authors, musicians, politicians and individuals. Some famous and highly trafficked Nepalese blog pages are www.mysansar.com, www.demrepubnepal.blogspot.com, www.dev.net.np etc. The site www.blogger.com.np publishes an alphabetical list of Nepalese blog sites. However, publishing the literary creations and news based articles on the blogs are now general but the accuracy and credibility of blogs are often questioned.

Prospects and Problems of Online in Nepal:
Internet or online journalism can be a significant solution of geographic difficulties for transportation (of information and news papers) in Nepal. According to Internet World Status, there are more then a million computer sets in the country today. The ratio of increment of computers is nearly 45 thousand sets every year. And 625,800 Nepalese are estimated to use internet within Nepal (up to 2010). Internet is also used in the field of commerce and banking. Similarly www.muncha.com, www.thamel.com etc have started online marketing in Nepal. The UTF-8 and UTF-16 system of Unicode fonts have helped Devnagari script to be published online helping the Nepalese art and literature to blossom. Nepalese users are now linked to various social networking sites such as facebook, twitter, myspace, hi5 etc and after all to the entire human kind of the world.

But still millions of Nepalese are illiterate and billions haven't access to the internet. The cost of computer and internet charges of internet service providers (ISP's) are very high in comparison to per capita income of Nepalese. Due to the expensive cost of internet, thousands of lower and middle class people are using the PC either as a typewriter or as a video monitor. The frequent power shortage or cuts in the urban areas and no electrification in the rural areas are forcing Nepalese to remain indifferent of computer and the information technology. Government of Nepal's plan to build IT park and launce e-governance is limited into papers. So, it can be declared that the case of absence of the private investors to internet market would keep Nepalese online sector at the primitive age.

Legal Aspects to Web:
The world is having a debate on the model of cyber law and internet related regulations. The worldwide accepted 'Internet Protocol' advocates uncensored sites. But United States, credited as the birthplace of internet, promulgated a cyber law named 'Communication Decency Act (CDA)' on 1996 and imposed censorship or ban on the pornographic sites. Since, numbers of nations have prepared cyber laws and are controlling terrorism and pornography related pages. For example, the neighboring People's Republic of China has developed a strong mechanism to control internet crimes and cyber disorders. The Government of Malaysia has banned more than 200 thousands web pages and blogs. Korea DPR doesn't allow internet's use within its territory but has developed the world's second largest intranet only after the US based Navy/Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI), with all basic facilities of World Wide Web such as chat room, social networks, news pages, distance learning, business pages and multimedia.

In case of Nepal the Electronic Transaction and Digital Signature Act of 2004 (ETDSA), imposed through an ordinance states a provision of ban on the site disturbing national interests and integration. It regulates online commerce and financial transactions and criminalizes certain online behavior, including hacking and fraud and also provides criminal penalties, including fines and up to five years in prison, for the publication of "illegal" content on the Internet (though it provides no definition of illegal content), or for the publication of hate speech or speech likely to trigger ethnic strife. Similarly, Clause 19 and 20 of Telecommunication Act - 2053 allows the government to control and monitor any ISP or site. And the National Broadcasting Act of 1993 and the National Broadcasting Regulation of 1995 provide for fines and/or imprisonment for broadcasting content likely to cause ethnic strife or social unrest, undermine national security or moral decency, or conflict with Nepali foreign policy. During the 2061's Royal takeover, twenty Nepalese news sites were blocked under these acts and ordinance. Unfortunately, the Government that could ban the news sites is not monitoring the pornographic sites at all, leaving very bad consequences, basically to the child and teenagers. Various blog pages and sites are posting or publishing pornographic or copy righted articles, but the Government of Nepal seems to be total ignorant to these issues.

Conclusion and Closing:
If the nation and the people couldn't move forward with the pace of developing information technology, there will be left nothing at all. Moreover, the media person who couldn't join the race of information super highway will loose his ground very soon. One must accept the internet and online as the core of today's world and development. The government should make e-friendly policy and implement them. Finally, we would like to declare that tomorrows Nepal is e-Nepal and the next generation is e-generation.

References:
1.    Internet World Status (http://www.internetworldstats.com/asia/np.htm)
2.    Computer Association of Nepal (http://www.can.org.np)
3.    Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_in_Nepal )
4.     Notes provided by the lectures & professors of R.R. Campus, Ktm

Contribution of News Publication on the Sector of Health by The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times (Report Presentation of the Mini-research)

1. Introduction :

News articles are the heart and soul of newspapers. Descriptions related to human affairs and human interests are the basic elements in a news story. During the ancient (early) era of Journalism, news about the war, heroism, military activities and defense related matters used to get importance. But along with the development of the very stream, various other arenas such as finance, sports, health, education and other integral human affairs also started to get space and importance in a news page.

It’s a content analysis conducted for exploration about the space and value given to such basic human ingredients and constituents by the main stream Nepalese English (daily) newspapers. As assigned under the syllabus of curriculum for Mass Communication & Journalism-302 of 3 years Bachelor Level, 2nd year’s Practical Examinations; a basic research on the news value being given to the very basic need of human’s life and one of the major infrastructure of development – ‘HEALTH’ is tried to analysis under the technique of Content Analysis. For the purpose two major daily English newspapers of Nepal-‘The Kathmandu Post’ and ‘The Himalayan Times’ are taken as the grounds for  research.

2.Statement  of  the  Problem :
It’s an attempt to discover the subject of priority or emphasis being granted by the mainstream broadsheet daily newspapers in Nepal. Among politics, crime, education, finance, sports, conflict, health, closure, strike etc, which is the main news covering arena of those papers? Are they bias less on the space and importance to all type news or are they tilted extravagantly to any sector? Regarding the news publication on Education, how far they have made such contributions? Do they really enjoy with political ‘to and fro’ or also endeavor at publication of ‘education related stories’?

3. Importance of the mini-reserach :
What is the most emphasized news aspect by the major daily newspapers of Nepal is tried to discover through the content analysis, which indeed is significant from the point of view of the media effect theory to readers or mass audiences. The Medias are thought makers and they bear the power of changing mentality of their respective receivers. Hence, what sorts of effect is being formulated to the readers through the newspapers, are they sponsored type or if they are simply practicing propagandas to them was a very important aspect to have known. It’s important for the media itself for practicing better journalism and for the state cum listeners for being well informed using their rights to information. So doubtless the fact is that the study of media’s editorial policy is a quite worthy issue.

4. Objectives of the mini-research:
The major objective of the research is to find out how far the news about public concerned ‘health’ is published or given importance by the newspapers. For the purpose, the study of their front page news of one whole week is done.

5. Research procedure:
Content analysis deals with the published (printed) news or articles by a print media house. For this very research the secondary sources are used as in formations or data. So far the studied medias are concerned, the major two daily newspapers that publish from Kathmandu valley i.e. The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times of Bhadra 24 to 30,2065 (only front page news stories) were taken as the samples. The research is based on quantitative method.

The collected data are entered in the following tables.

a) News published in The Himalayan Times Daily:

Date of Publication	News Published on:						Total Items
	Politics	Crime	Finance	Health	Education	Miscellaneous
05-24	2	0	0	0	1	2	5
05-25	2	1	2	0	0	1	6
05-26	2	0	1	0	0	1	4
05-27	2	0	0	1	0	2	5
05-28	3	0	0	1	1	2	7
05-29	3	2	1	1	0	1	8
05-30	3	1	1	0	1	2	8
Total	17	4	5	3	3	11	43

b) News published in The Kathmandu Post Daily:

Date of Publication	News Published on:						Total Items
	Politics	Crime	Finance	Health	Education	Miscellaneous
05-24	3	0	1	0	0	2	6
05-25	4	0	1	0	0	1	6
05-26	4	1	1	0	1	1	8
05-27	2	1	1	1	0	1	6
05-28	2	0	0	1	0	3	6
05-29	1	1	0	0	0	3	5
05-30	2	2	1	0	0	1	6
Total	18	5	5	2	1	12	43

6. data analysis & Presentation :
The Himalayan Times daily published altogether 43 news stories in the front page during 24th to 30th Bhadra, 2065. Among them almost half of the news (17 stories) was dealing on politics of the country. It was managed to publish 4 crime based, 5 finance related, 3 educational and 11 miscellaneous news articles. However, during the whole week just 3 health related news matters are found to have published which is not at all the sufficient proportion. The given bar graph demonstrates its actual condition.

On the next hand, The Kathmandu post also had some equal columns for political stories. Altogether 18 political articles were published during the week in the paper’s 1st page. Publishing 5 news articles on crime made it be the second arena of importance given by the newsroom. The Kathmandu post published 4 financial, simply one educational and almost 10 miscellaneous news matters. Regarding the health based news, it had very less (even lesser than THT) space. Merely 2 news stories during the whole week came printed and it can’t be assumed as a smart proportion. The following bar graph shall illustrate the reality.   
 
(Note: It’s necessary to make clear that the published photos, advertisements, cartoons and brief news are not included in this research.)

7. conclusion :
The both mainstream and leading English daily newspapers of Nepal are found to have been giving their priority extremely for politics and political happenings, expressions and activities. They are found somewhat indifferent to the day to day arenas of publics such as health, education, natural calamities (disasters), environment, meteorology, human interest affairs and the like. It’s disappointing to find that both major dailies have political mentality and not the health or other social type. During the week, The Himalayan Times published three health related news and in case of The Kathmandu Post, it’s even worse. The Kathmandu Post didn’t give more then two news flashing during an entire week. 

8. recommendation :
A newspaper should be ‘just’ while selecting (editing) news. It shouldn’t be biased to some kind and close to next. It’s because given extreme emphasis to some sector may get dictated by the readers and ultimately their mentality towards the media and the profession of journalism changes towards negativity causing a long term and serious problem at the industry. Such becomes the worse situation.

The first page of any newspaper is the most read page. The main and banner news are published in the page. A print media is always supposed to maintain balance at it’s news presentation. In case of The Himalayan Times and The Kathmandu Post, they are in need of reducing the extravagant presentation and spacing to the political affairs and that should be fulfilled with human needed and human interested news and views. The news of developments and also the stories of health, education, environment, market price etc should be given excess space for further betterment and improvement of the newspapers.

9. references :
1. Denis McQuail, Mass Communication Theory (2000)
2. टिकाराम गौतम रेसमराज अधिकारी समाजशास्त्रिय र मानवशास्त्रिय अनुसन्धान पद्धति
3. Wirmmer and Dominik, Mass media Research (2002)
4. Newspapers collection at National Library, Hariharbhawan Ltp.
5. Various content analysis reports, done by the fellows of R.R. Campus.

The Public Relation Strategy of Pawan Prakriti E. H. S. School, Lalitpur (A PR Study Report)

1. Statement of Problem:

As a student of Public Relations under Mass Communication and Journalism in Bachelors level 3rd year, the researcher has made an effort to study the external public relation on the well established and leading public school of Kathmandu valley named Pawan Prakriti English Higher Secondary School (acronym-PPEHSS), located in Imadole Lalitpur. As public relation is a process of informing to public about the organization and gaining responses, it completes when two party (Organization and public) are participated, the researcher focused on what have been doing by PPEHSS to inform about it's services to public and how is the public attitude (response) towards it.

'External Public Relations' of Pawan Prakriti English Higher Secondary School are regarded as the research problem because the researcher is concerned on the institute's various activities, which are done for public relations. The materials, phenomenon and planning done by the institute and responses on each of them is to be researched as the subject matter of research.

2. Objectives of Research:
The external public relation studies of Pawan Prakriti English Higher Secondary School aims at following objectives to have fulfilled.
i.To discover the parent’s/guardian’s attitude towards the school regarding the co-curricular and academic activities.
ii.To find out the various strategies and techniques that the institute uses and implements as public relation tools.
iii.To get the rate of satisfaction by the stake-holders towards  the school.

3. Research Methodology:
In order to access the external public relation strategies of the institute, the researcher prepared a questionnaire to be asked the related factors such as students, guardians, and teachers and also to the administrative and rest non-teaching staffs. Beside of questionnaire, individual interviewing and library study was also made. Data collected by such activities were checked and verified.

4. Findings:
Pawan Prakriti English Higher Secondary School is an academic institution being run by intellectuals with a motive of providing quality education in order to produce capable and skilled manpower as per the need and requirement of the country. The institute runs primary to higher secondary level classes on English medium, based on CDC and HSEB syllabus with compulsory computer and other (additional) vocational disciplines. It came into being after the Mass Movement (Jana Aandolan-1) that is on 2048 B.S.

Though the institute is owned by not a single inverter, rather a group of educationists, it has been registered under Company Act-2048 and as a private company it has been making financial activities for profit, of course. Since the fellows of the school admitted School Leaving Certificate (S.L.C.) examination the school has been gaining outstanding results at distinction and first division marks with cent percent passing result.

Under the motto of 'Education for equality of opportunity' the institute has made attempts to provide full and partial scholarships to the deserving students from poor, dalits, indigenous, females and madhesie communities at a great extent. It's remarkable that a large number of children whose parents are full time political workers at local to central level (and even elected as CA members and ministers of cabinet of the present ministry) are studying in the school as boarders. The school owns its own building with large area of play ground and other physical cum academic requirements such as computer lab, science lab, canteen, transportation, hostel etc.

5. Activities and Programmes:
Pawan Prakriti English Higher Secondary School conducts academic and extra-curricular activities for the holistic development of the students. The researcher found the aspect of academia being satisfactory and managed in condition. An English language environment has been imposed and maintained within the school premises to the school family. The following activities were found being executed by the institute for the betterment of children.
a.Ten plus two (High School level) programme has been conducted on the very common stream of management with an aim of extending it wide and more.
b.Extra classes, tuition and coaching classes for S.L.C. fellows and weak students are managed.
c.Montessori based (playing while learning method) classes for the pre-primary and primary level classes are maintained.
d.Multimedia based audio visual classes and documentary show programmes are managed.
e.Excursion tour, guest lecture classes and life skill cum adolescence based sexual health seminars are organized.
f.Various games and sports and martial arts trainings are given.
g.Extra academic activities such as quiz, elocution (oratory, speech, debate etc), singing, and dancing and dramatics contest are also found to be conducted according to the schedule published in school's academic calendar.

6. External PR tools of PPEHSS:
i. Identity card that identifies the student and staff under the school's naming and seal.
ii. Hoarding boards kept at various massive places (attached in index-1 of the report but not published in this page).
iii. Visiting cards of school, teachers and administrative staffs comprising school's heading and seal.   
iv. Banners stating admission opening, hostel scheme and scholarship schemes.
v. Radio advertisement via various radio stations of Kathmandu valley.
vi. Television advertisement via various Television stations of Kathmandu Valley.
vii. School magazine to publish the student's creations under school's name, address and other information. (named-PPESS)
viii. Telephone inquiry and mobile phone messaging about the school and its policy to very related persons.
ix. Brochures and pamphlets describing the school's rules and regulations and other important informations.  (attached in index-1 of the report but not published in this page).
x. Direct contact (person to person).
xi. Website and emailing
xii. Newspaper advertisements on admission or staff recruitment under the school's naming and full address cum contacts. (attached in index-1 of the report but not published in this page).
xiii. House wise wall publications at school premises
xiv. Interaction among guardians (informally at their own level).
xv. Parent-teacher discussion (organized formally by the school).
xvi. Assembly speeches every morning and evening assembly by the ECA- In charge and the Principal respectively.
xvii.I nformative paintings on school transportation system.
xviii. Participation at various radios/televisions and stage contests, programmes and functions.
xix. School's name, logo and motto's print in dress, belt and other accessories of school.
xx. News and feature reports about students and school in various journals and magazines, etc

7. Limitations:
Being a college student, the researcher did not have enough time and advanced methods and tools to collect all the data and minute information from the whole PPEHSS wing, it's related groups and peoples. As the data collection of the report needed a lot of time, the researcher was able to manage few moments only. Hence several factors that could also be studied were kept apart of the project.

8. Data Analysis and Tabulation:
People who came to know about PPEHSS learned it by:
(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Medias (Radio/TV/Newspapers) - 53%
Parents and Guardians - 28%
Other means (Pamphlets/Banners etc) -19%
 
The attitude of peoples related to PPEHSS, towards it:
(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
A good institute for their children - 34%
An average school for their child - 56%
A poor academic organization -10%

The factor of PPEHSS that attracts people:
(Note: The related graph is not published in this page)
Academic factors - 55%
Extracurricular activities - 24%
Other factors - 21%

9. Finding and Conclusions:
The external research about Pawan Prakriti English Higher Secondary School threw some important findings into light. Among them, it’s discovered that large number of people came to know about the institute from mass media such as Radio, television and newspaper advertisements. However, the interactions among the parents and other items as hoarding board and pamphlets also played vital role at spreading in formations about PPEHSS to the public.

Next to it, even after a lot of achievements acquired by the institute in S.L.C. and other platforms; majority (i.e. 56%) of people and guardians are found to be assuming the school an average one. It suggests that the school has no ground for complacency at all, rather a long path, still to pave towards Excellency. However, the same guardians are found to have been attracted towards it, due to the academic achievements most. They also prefer the school's policy of extracurricular and other activities that help the all round development of the students. The school management has to give an deep glance over these fields as well.

Except the mentioned facts, the school management should immediately touch and go through the feelings of the teachers and other staffs, because during questionnaire, almost teaching and non teaching man powers were found to be dissatisfied at their payments and other privileges in comparison to their work burden and duties. If given care in these fields and facts, PPEHSS can surely rise as a top academic institute of the country.

10. Suggestions:
Such types of project works are very useful for the students like us (the researcher and like). It not only makes the proper utilization of our time but also makes us creative, experienced and teaches us how to deal at the public audience. It also creates the feeling of co-operation, dedication to work etc on the students. It also helps the students to understand the feeling of different peoples favour on the media. At last it's a request to teachers of Tribhuwan University, Central Department of Journalism to provide such types of research assignments to the students and help them sharpen their creativity and intelligence.

11. References
i. Advertisement and public Relations (Lal Deosa Rai & Binod Bhattarai),  published by Nepal Association of Media Educators.
ii. Principals of Marketing (Dr. Phatta Bahadur K.C.), published by Sukunda Pustak Bhawan, Kathmandu.
iii. Lectures and notes provided by the teachers in R.R. Campus, Bhrikutimandap Kathmandu
iv. Booklets, Brochures and other public relation tools provided by PPEHSS, Lalitpur.

Advertisements in Nepal Samacharpatra National Daily (A Content Analysis)

1. Statement of Problem:

Nepal Samacharpatra National Daily newspaper is supposed to be one of the most reputed and old media organization of Nepal, being published by ‘The Kamana Prakashan Samuha’, established more than 25 years ago. During its publication journey, how far the organization has been sustainable financially is the question to behind this research. As advertising is to provide the most persuasive possible selling message to the right prospects at the lowest possible cost, it is an attempt to discover the advertising market of The Nepal Samachrpatra daily. Advertising is the breathing of Medias as they can’t sustain without enough advertisements economically. Hence, it’s also an endeavor to analyze the marketing status of the daily newspaper.

2. Objectives of Research:

• To analyze Nepal Samacharpatra National daily’s advertisement market and it’s coverage in the sector of advertising.
• To find out the type of advertisers that favour the newspaper to advertise through.
• To suggest the publication house to overcome it's marketing's shortcomings.
• To show the new arena and sectors of advertising and help the publication house grow it's business.

3. Research Methodology:

‘Is really the newspaper satisfied with it’s advertisement market or ants further leap’, being based on this question, the researcher studied the publication’s week long series of newspaper starting on Monday, 20th April 2009 (Baisakh 7, 2066 B.S.) to Sunday, 26th April 2009 (Baisakh 13, 2066 B.S.). The advertisements published in the newspaper in the front page and back page along with the ear panels were only studied as the primary data, as the most economic and important advertisements are supposed to be published in these two pages. All the advertisements in those pages are found to be published in four colour format. Hence, the research doesn’t concern on the matter. The front and back page’s advertisements are studied primarily and then while analyzing the information the data are merged to get final conclusion. Each and every advertisement was measured (in Inch) for their size and final conclusion were drawn.

4. Data Collection:

Advertisements of each seven days during research period are collected and presented separately here in seven separate charts. The model advertisements are attached in the index at last.

Advertisements Published on Monday, April 20, 2009 (Baisakh 7, 2066)

S.N.	Ads. published in front page		Ads. published in last page
	Advertiser	Size	Advertiser	Size
1.	Kathmandu TMT Steel	2x2	Dabour Glucose D	13x2
2.	Himalaya Finance Limited	2.5x3	Nepatop Water Tank	3x2
3.	NIT/IGNOU Institute	2x2	Pepsi Cold Drink	3x2
4.	Int. Leasing and Finance	2.5x3	Publisher's own ad.	3X4
5.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	2.5x1.5	Publisher's own ad.	13x2
6.	Hilltake LPG Genset	2.5x1.5	-	--
7.	Real Mango Juice	13x6	-	-

Advertisements Published on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 (Baisakh 8, 2066)

S.N.	Ads. published in front page		Ads. published in last page
	Advertiser	Size	Advertiser	Size
1.	Kathmandu TMT Steel	2x2	Dabour Glucose D	13x2
2.	Himalaya Finance Limited	2.5x3	Surya Nepal Masters	13x7
3.	Rajhansh Oil and Ghee	2x2	Nepal Telecom	13x10
4.	Int. Leasing and Finance	2.5x3	-	-
5.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	2.5x1.5	-	-
6.	Hilltake LPG Genset	2.5x1.5	-	-
7.	Nepal Airlines	13x2	-	-
8.	Sunrise Bank Limited	6x10	-	-

Advertisements Published on Wednesday April 22, 2009 (Baisakh 9, 2066)

S.N.	Ads. published in front page		Ads. published in last page
	Advertiser	Size	Advertiser	Size
1.	Kathmandu TMT Steel	2x2	Dabour Glucose D	13x2
2.	Rajhamsha Oil and Ghee	2x2	Nepatop Water Tank	3x2
3.	Himalayan Bank Limited	13x2	V.S. Niketan School	5x7
4.	Himalaya Finance Limited	2.5x3	-	-
5.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	2.5x1.5	-	-
6.	SPACE FOR AD.	2.5X1	-	-
7.	Nepal Telecom	5x3	-	-
8.	Int. Leasing and Finance	2.5x3	-	-

Advertisements Published on Thursday, April 23, 2009 (Baisakh 10, 2066)

S.N.	Ads. published in front page		Ads. published in last page
	Advertiser	Size	Advertiser	Size
1.	Kathmandu TMT Steel	2x2	LG Mobile (Full Page)	13x20
2.	Rajhamsha Oil and Ghee	2x2	-	-
3.	Himalayan Bank Limited	13x2	-	-
4.	Himalaya Finance Limited	2.5x3	-	-
5.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	2.5x1.5	-	-
6.	SPACE FOR AD.	2.5X1	-	-
7.	Nepal Telecom	5x3	-	-
8.	Int. Leasing and Finance	2.5x3	-	-
9.	Real Fruit Juice	9.5x6.5	-	-

Advertisements Published on Friday, April 24, 2009 (Baisakh 11, 2066)

S.N.	Ads. published in front page		Ads. published in last page
	Advertiser	Size	Advertiser	Size
1.	Parle G Biscuit	2x2	Dabour Glucose D	13x2
2.	Yeti Carpet	2x2	Nepatop Water Tank	3x2
3.	Gorkha and B.K.Cement	13x2	Man Missing Notice	3x3.5
4.	Int. Leasing and Finance	2.5x3	Pepsi Cold Drink	3x2
5.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	2.5x1.5	Publisher's own ad.	13x2
6.	Hilltake Genset	1x1	-	-
7.	Sunrise Bank Limited	5x7	-	-
8.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	5x7	-	-

Advertisements Published on Saturday, April 25, 2009 (Baisakh 12, 2066)

S.N.	Ads. published in front page		Ads. published in last page
	Advertiser	Size	Advertiser	Size
1.	Parle G (Hide and Seek)	2x2	Dabour Glucose D	13x2
2.	Rajhansh Oil and Ghee	2x2	Satya Sai School	3x4
3.	SPACE FOR AD.	2.5x4	Man Missing Notice	3x3.5
4.	Int. Leasing and Finance	2.5x3	Publisher's own ad.	13x2
5.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	2.5x1.5	-	-
6.	Hilltake Genset	2.5x2	-	-
7.	Sunrise Bank Limited	5x8	-	-

Advertisements Published on Sunday, April 26, 2009 (Baisakh 13, 2066)

S.N.	Ads. published in front page		Ads. published in last page
	Advertiser	Size	Advertiser	Size
1.	FAHIM Sanitary Ware	2x2	Dabour Glucose D	13x2
2.	Bridge Cement	2x2	Tej Cement	3x2
3.	Himalayan Bank Limited	13x2	Pepsi Cold Drink	3x2
4.	Int. Leasing and Finance	2.5x3	SHIKHAR Cigarette	6.5x1
5.	Riddhi Siddhi Jewelers	2.5x1.5	-	-
6.	Sagarmatha Merchant Bank	3x4	-	-
7.	Sunrise Bank Limited	6.5x10	-	-
8.	King's College	4.5x6	-	-
9.	SPACE FOR AD.	1.5x3	-	-
10	Hilltake LPG Genset	1.5x1.5

5. Data Presentation:

a) On the basis of Repetition:

(Note: The related graph is not published in this page.)

1. Industrial Products: 3

2. Finance and Banks: 20

3. Supermarkets and Traders: 9

4. Service Selling Organizations: 7

5. Publisher’s Own Advertisements: 7

6. Miscellaneous Advertisements: 2

b) On the basis of Size Occupied:

(Note: The related graph is not published in this page.)

1. Industrial Products: 760.25 Square Inches

2. Finance and Banks: 432.50 Square Inches

3. Supermarkets and Traders: 155.20 Square Inches

4. Service Selling Organizations: 249.00 Square Inches

5. Publisher’s Own Advertisements: 107.00 Square Inches

6. Miscellaneous Advertisements: 21.00 Square Inches

6. Data Analysis and Conclusion:

Nepal Samacharpatra National Daily newspaper publishes the industries based advertisements at the largest extent. Next to the industrial products, the up growing banking and financial agencies prefer to get the access of Nepal Samacharpatra to reach the readers (i.e. their customers). But the various service providing and trading supermarket agencies are found to be lesser interested at advertising via the paper. On the next hand, the publication organization is found to have used it’s paper largely to grow the subscribers and send it’s information along with ‘place for advertisements’.

The content analysis of the paper from the point of view of space occupation also proves the above mentioned fact. Industrial products are found to have covered the maximum space among the advertisement columns, delivering a huge sum of amount to the publisher. Banking and financial agencies are closely following to the industrial products by publishing larger sized but fewer in number of advertisements. Various service selling organizations and supermarkets are also investing a lot for their business promotion or information’s delivering (as an external public relation tool). And most remarkably the publisher (i.e. Kamana Prakashan Samuha) itself is found to be using the paper for it’s own business management and uplifting.

The content analysis also brought a very interesting and hidden fact into light. That is, most of the advertisers of Nepal Samacharpatra are somehow directly or indirectly related to its publication organization and are mostly from the Newar Community. It seems the paper is being used as a propaganda or public relation item by the advertisers for their business promotion intentionally.

7. Suggestion:

Nepal Samacharpatra National Daily newspaper is a jewel in the Nepali media world. It should develop and reach the greatest height of success, which will after all be the success of entire Nepali media society. As the financial factor plays a vital role in development of media organization, Nepal Samacharpatra National Daily newspaper is in need of giving high priority & extra emphasis at collecting and publishing more and more advertisements with some additional pages with better paper, print and articles quality, so that the paper can compete other mainstream broadsheet dailies of the country. It should tie it’s advertising and marketing front even strongly and creatively.