Anusha Thapa

Bhaktapur – People who are poor or financially struggling are no longer deprived only of healthcare and education—they are increasingly being denied access to newspapers as well. Many stationery shops refuse to let customers browse newspapers unless they purchase them. As soon as newspapers arrive in the morning, they are stapled shut or hidden away to prevent people from reading them before buying.

Instead of allowing readers to browse and choose which newspaper they want, shopkeepers insist that customers pay first. This practice limits citizens’ right to access information about national and international events. Customers are often told to leave if they try to read a newspaper inside the shop.

Although stationery shops earn only a small profit from newspaper sales, they focus more on selling other items with higher margins. As a result, newspaper buyers receive little attention. Since multiple newspapers are published every day, readers cannot afford to buy all of them. They should be able to browse and select the one that interests them, but in many cases, that opportunity is denied.

Journalists spend significant time and effort gathering and writing news. If readers cannot access those stories, the purpose of journalism is undermined. Media houses also fail to monitor whether their newspapers are reaching readers effectively. Unsold copies are simply returned the next day.

The newspaper industry is already struggling to survive. Investigative journalism has declined, page counts have shrunk, and prices have increased. Many newspapers rely heavily on wire-service content and advertisements rather than original reporting. Readers buy newspapers expecting fresh and exclusive stories, not pages filled mostly with advertisements or recycled news.

Public places that once displayed newspapers for free reading have largely disappeared, making access even harder for people who cannot afford to buy them. Reintroducing newspapers in public spaces could help improve public access to information.

A major reason investigative journalism is disappearing is poor treatment of journalists. Many media organizations fail to pay salaries on time, leaving reporters financially stressed and unable to focus on producing quality journalism. Better wages, benefits, and professional support would encourage stronger reporting.

Journalism should be about uncovering original stories—not simply republishing agency reports. In the digital era, online platforms deliver breaking news instantly. Newspapers can remain relevant only by producing exclusive, investigative, and in-depth reporting that readers cannot easily find elsewhere.

The article also criticizes political bias within sections of the media, arguing that some outlets protect their preferred political groups while attacking others. It concludes that media owners should treat journalism as a public service rather than merely a business, pay journalists fairly, encourage independent reporting, and restore public trust in newspapers.