Clean Feed To Be Implemented In Nepal From Karthik 8
October 15, 2020 | Investopaper
As per the provisions of the Advertising Act 2076, Clean feed will be implemented in foreign television channels broadcasting in Nepal from Karthik 8, 2077. Article 6 of the Advertising Act passed by the parliament last year has made provision for foreign television channels broadcasting in Nepal to broadcast without advertisement (clean feed). The article also stipulates that television channels already broadcasting must implement Clean feed within a year.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on Wednesday directed the broadcasters to make foreign channels clean feed. The ministry has also stated that action will be taken against the associations and organizations that do not implement clean feed as per the provisions of the Advertising Act. As per the international practice, foreign channels in any country are not allowed to broadcast foreign advertisements. However, in Nepal, due to the lack of legal provisions related to clean feed, foreign channels have been broadcasting advertisements along with the program.
An organization that does not implement clean feed is liable to a fine of up to Rs 500,000. Similarly, according to the National Broadcasting Act 2049, there is a provision of fine up to Rs 10,000 or imprisonment for up to one year.
Nepal’s advertising market is worth more than Rs 12 billion, of which multinational companies account for 40 percent. As per the estimation, Nepali advertising market will be worth Rs 24 billion in two years after the implementation of Clean feed. After the full implementation of Clean feed, foreign companies must make advertisements using Nepali language and manpower. It would promote the business of Nepali artists, advertising agencies and related sectors associated with advertising.
Foreign channels such as Sony, Star, Colors and Zee Channel have more viewers in Nepal. There are 13 sports channels in Nepal, four from Sony and eight from Star. Similarly, there are 13 channels of Colors, 22 channels of Sony, 32 channels of Star, 14 channels of Zee and four channels of HBO. In addition, the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Discovery, Astha, Sanskar and other channels also broadcasted in Nepal.
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