Koshi Province has witnessed the closure of 44 FM radio stations as financial hardship and declining advertising revenue continue to affect Nepal's media sector.

The figures were presented during a media conference organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Koshi Province, where former central committee member Mohan Kaji revealed that 16 community FM stations are among those that have shut down. Out of 129 registered FM stations, only 85 remain operational.

According to the report, limited market opportunities, rising operational costs, and economic instability have severely impacted local media outlets, forcing many to suspend operations.

Kaji urged the Koshi Province Government to introduce policies and budget allocations that specifically support media organizations operating in indigenous and minority languages. He emphasized that such initiatives would help preserve linguistic diversity while strengthening community journalism.

He also noted that journalism in Koshi Province currently stands at a crossroads, facing both significant opportunities and serious challenges. Addressing issues such as financial insecurity, technological transformation, and digital adaptation is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of regional media.

The report further states that the province currently has 96 registered newspapers, including 17 daily, 73 weekly, four monthly, one bi-monthly, and one quarterly publication. Besides FM radio stations, the province also has seven television channels and approximately 397 online news portals.

Media experts believe that maintaining editorial independence while embracing digital innovation will be key to building a stronger and more resilient journalism sector in Koshi Province.