NIMJN organized a talk program titled 'From Print to Pixels: Media Sustainability in Nepal' in Kathmandu on November 22, 2024.

Ashutosh Tiwari, the founder of SAFAL Partners, was the key speaker.

The talk focused on Nepal's evolving media landscape, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by independent journalists and small-scale media outlets in the digital age.

Tiwari shared valuable insights and strategies for media sustainability, providing crucial steps for navigating the current media crisis. The event was attended by 28 participants, including early-career journalists, independent reporters, freelancers, and staffs from various media outlets. 
 

Tiwari discussed the globally evolving patterns of journalism, describing the shift from a solid to a liquid form of the economy of media outlets in Nepal. In this changing landscape, he highlighted that audiences are no longer solely dependent on traditional print media; they have diverse choices, including noticeable, short-length content with more visual representation and multimedia elements on platforms like social media.

Tiwari suggested journalists and media outlets focus on building credibility and utilizing their networks. "They should work within their niche, whether it be specific priorities, issues, or modalities," he said. 

The program discussed the essentials of harnessing the right tools, technologies, and human resources while also exploring diverse platforms like multimedia, podcasts, and social media content.

At the same time, journalists and media outlets should identify and develop their unique strengths, he suggested.

Additionally, he suggested that innovative approaches to generating revenue through content production and distribution, such as subscriptions and sponsored content creation, could be essential aspects of media sustainability for small-scale newsrooms.

The talk session was followed by a Q&A session with the participants, which included questions and discussions related to how media sustainability can be achieved through collective efforts and how to forge collaborations to create news value in the fast-paced social media age.

Journalists also shared their efforts and experiences in striving to be independent and credible, as well as the challenges they face, such as economic dependency, niche markets, and the influence of social media.

Tiwari emphasized, ‘While we are facing many uncertainties and adversities, however, we must begin the journey toward media sustainability, swimming in the changing liquid context.’