Narayan Upadhyay

The nation's first broadsheet English daily, The Rising Nepal (TRN), came to its existence out of urgency - for disseminating Nepali perspectives on the state of affairs and events to the outer world. Before this paper hit the kiosk on 16 December 1965, the world would know the events and affairs of Nepal through foreign media's eyes.
The paper fulfilled the much-awaited requirement of having the country's English-language daily newspaper edited and produced by domestic hands. Published simultaneously with the nation's grand old newspaper, the Gorkhapatra daily, TRN would attract well-heeled, enlightened class as its readers and tell the world about our affairs and events through our own perspectives.

Many educated lots craving to write their opinion pieces in English or those willing to join the daily as journalists found in The Rising Nepal an amiable friend. The appeal of TRN among the educated, elite and expatriate communities continued as it remained the only English broadsheet daily until the country witnessed the return of the multi-party polity in the early 1990s.

Tough Time
With the restoration of democracy, other English broadsheet dailies came to the Nepali media landscape, giving tough times to this iconic daily. The appeal of this daily among readers and writers started fading as English newspaper readers had their traction towards the private newspapers that brought out their prints adopting modern techniques and with spicy news items. In its 56 years of unwavering journey, the English daily has passed through many vicissitudes. The eight-page daily has often lacked a good number of journalists in its editorial fold. Then came the stiff competition from other English dailies regarding the publication. The private dailies embraced the modern ways of publishing their papers, besides hiring expert hands in their editorial teams and technical departments.

These challenges, however, have not deterred the good old TRN from moving ahead, prioritising state, government and people-related matters in its daily edition. Happily, the backing of successive governments and steadfast duties carried out by many past and present editors, journalists and management staff have done wonders for this paper to remain afloat as an important English daily of the nation.

In the past, some have tried to make the paper the mouthpiece of certain political parties, but the oldest English daily has adhered to the time-honoured practice of disseminating information, news and views on state and public-related affairs. Publishing some stuff that a private newspaper or media bring out or broadcast is not possible for this daily. Or making simple and straightforward news spicy by adding controversial or sensational angel is a 'big no" for this historic daily that has always endeavoured to stick to the cardinal practice of journalism known as ABC (accuracy, balance and credibility). Also true is the fact that whenever domestic and foreign readers find some news items published in private papers that are confusing or have a partisan tone; they turn to this daily or its sister newspaper. 

Surviving the tough challenge from Nepal's ever-changing media sphere, TRN has discharged its duty responsibly. For instance, this newspaper never shut down its business during long lockdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The lockdowns compelled many other broadsheet dailies to pull their shutters down for some months. Almost all newspapers' readership and advertisements plummeted, compelling them to close to cut losses. The GC management, however, did not stop printing the newspapers, including TRN. Being government entities, GC publications have greater responsibility to the public during crises.
Even during the troublesome time of COVID outbreak, TRN journalists worked on a rotation so that the papers would come out every day during the lockdown. When the Gorkha quake rattled the Kathmandu Valley in April of 2015, the journalists worked unwaveringly. They merit our kudos for their indefatigable and valiant endeavours. From the Panchayat era to the current period of federal democracy and during the most testing period of the COVID outbreak, TRN is chugging along, winning the trust of readers and writers.

At present, the historic daily has faced a more challenging time. In a world where online media has imperilled the very survival of newspapers, our daily is in a furious race to remain a well-respected state English broadsheet. Newspapers across the world are dying these days. The internet and digital media have delivered a severe blow to newspapers. However, owing to unwavering support from the GC management, the oldest English paper has made its presence in the national media landscape, dishing out all news materials that matter for its English readers.

Now the time has arrived to turn TRN into a sleeker paper, both in its appearance and content. Giving up its current traditional layout style for a more modern design, and discarding the habit of publishing only state and government-related matters must be done. For achieving this goal, more expert hands have to be included in its editorial as well as technical teams. On the day of assuming office, the GC chairman, Bishnu Prasad Subedi, had vowed to make the GC publications state entities, rather than allowing them to be the mouthpiece of political parties. This is what we all at the GC should aspire to do - making the publications more public-oriented would only enhance our credibility in the eyes of the common people.

Digital version
Primarily, the digital version of this paper should address the demand of changing times. International readers of our online version are the ones who are addicted to going through international online media, many of which are sleek and smart, both in their layout, design and content. Our management will do well on this broadsheet if it works towards creating its English language news site as smart as any other news portal. Our online version, being a state-run outlet, has possessed special importance. It can draw more readers and its reputation can multiply many folds if we raise the TRN website to a global standard.
Before wrapping up, let me say that our management, headed by an individual with years of involvement in dealing with digital media, possesses all the capacity and resources to swing the daily's online website into an exceptional one amid the crowd of online media.

(Upadhyay is Managing Editor at TRN. nara.upadhyay@gmail.com)