It is difficult to present the genesis, growth and present style of functioning of the press in Nepal. These aspects get blurred, as does its role in society as a whole. An inquiry into the plight of the press would also mean an inquiry into the level of intellectual development, literacy growth, communicational development and above all, the attitudinal change of the people at large.
This article attempts to show this 'sad plight' in its entirety: the history of the press, its linkage with past politics, to help explain its stagnant behaviour over the years, and the orientation towards the panchayat system as well as interaction between the government and the press.
