KATHMANDU, April 22: Nepal Republic Media (NRM) has issued a rebuttal to reports published by Kantipur Media Group, including in Kantipur Daily and The Kathmandu Post, claiming the stories contain baseless and misleading information about the company.
The reports, published on April 15 and 16 under the headline “Media fighting for survival, journalists unpaid for months,” alleged that NRM had taken a concessional government loan of Rs 200 million during the COVID-19 period to sustain operations and pay staff. NRM has denied the claim, stating that it had taken a loan of Rs 70 million on June 6, 2021, with an interest structure of 5 percent in the first year, 6 percent in the second year, and an additional 2 percent premium on the base rate thereafter.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NRM said the figures had been distorted to target a competing media house and damage its reputation at a time when the media industry is already facing economic challenges.
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The company also rejected claims that journalists had not been paid for six months and that those close to management received preferential treatment. It said the allegation of prolonged non-payment was incorrect, adding that salaries have been disbursed in phases, with lower-level employees receiving payments earlier than senior staff in some cases.
While acknowledging broader financial difficulties across sectors, NRM said it has remained operational for 18 years due to the trust of its employees. It described allegations of favoritism in salary payments as “fabricated narratives” and urged media outlets to maintain factual accuracy, especially when reporting on their own industry.
NRM further warned Kantipur Media Group against spreading misinformation, stating that regulatory compliance was followed when transitioning the company from private to public status and that it remains under direct state oversight.
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