Book on South Asian Print Media Crisis Launched in Kathmandu

A new book examining the challenges faced by South Asia’s print media, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, was unveiled at an event in Kathmandu on Monday.

Titled South Asian Print Media Crisis, the book is co-edited by Ansgar Graw and Nishchal Nath Pandey and published jointly by the Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Speaking at the event, co-editor Pandey highlighted the significant struggles faced by journalists in South Asia post-pandemic. He noted that professionals in legacy media have been particularly affected by the economic and operational disruptions caused by the crisis.

Pandey also pointed out the growing prevalence of fake information on social media platforms, calling it a serious regional challenge that has compounded the difficulties faced by traditional media.

Anil Giri, a senior journalist with The Kathmandu Post, emphasized the book’s detailed exploration of the struggles newspapers and media organizations have endured in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The book features contributions from media professionals and scholars from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. It provides insights into the region’s shared experiences and unique challenges in sustaining print journalism in a rapidly changing media landscape.

The launch event brought together journalists, academics, and policymakers, underscoring the critical need to address the vulnerabilities of South Asian media in the face of financial constraints, misinformation, and shifting consumer preferences.