News Media Registration in Nepal
To legally operate a news portal, newspaper, or media company in Nepal, you need company registration at OCR plus a separate media registration from the Department of Information and Broadcasting or Press Council Nepal.
Types of Media You Can Register
Nepal recognizes several types of media businesses, each with its own registration requirements:
Online News Portal
A website or app that publishes news. This is the fastest growing media type in Nepal. Requires Department of Information registration.
Newspaper (Daily/Weekly)
Printed newspapers or periodicals. Regulated under Press Council Nepal and requires print publication approval.
Magazine / Journal
Monthly or quarterly print publications. Similar requirements to newspapers with different fee slabs.
Online Magazine
Digital-only publications. Similar to news portals but with editorial content focus.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Register Your Media Company at OCR
First, register a Private Limited Company at the OCR CAMIS portal (camis.ocr.gov.np). When entering company objectives, make sure to include media-related activities such as 'online news publication', 'journalism', 'media production', or 'digital news portal operation'. The company name should ideally reflect its media nature.
- 2
Obtain a Business PAN from IRD
After receiving your company registration certificate, apply for a Business PAN at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). A valid PAN is required before applying for any media registration. This is your company's official tax identification number.
- 3
Complete Ward Registration
Register your media company at the local ward office where your office is located. This gives you a ward registration certificate — which is required by many media regulatory bodies as proof of your physical office location.
- 4
Apply for Online Media Registration (DoI) OR Print Media (Press Council)
For online news portals: Apply at the Department of Information and Broadcasting with your OCR certificate, PAN, ward certificate, editor's credentials, and website details. For print media: Apply at Press Council Nepal with additional details about your publication format, circulation area, and printing press agreement.
- 5
Fulfill Editor Requirements
Every media company must appoint a qualified editor. The editor must be a Nepali citizen, hold a valid citizenship certificate, have no criminal record, and ideally have journalism or mass communication qualifications or experience. The editor's details must be submitted with the registration application.
- 6
Receive Media Registration Certificate
After reviewing your documents, the concerned authority issues your media registration certificate. For online portals, this confirms your right to publish news in Nepal. You must renew this registration annually.
Required Documents
- Company Registration Certificate from OCR
- Business PAN Certificate from IRD
- Ward Registration Certificate
- Citizenship certificate of the editor/chief editor
- Citizenship certificates of all directors/shareholders
- Application form for media registration (from DoI or Press Council)
- Details of the publication: name, language, publication frequency
- Website domain details (for online portals)
- Printing press agreement (for print media)
- Bank account details of the company
- Photograph of the office and office lease agreement
Content Rules and Responsibilities
All media companies in Nepal must follow the ethical guidelines set by Press Council Nepal and relevant media laws. Key responsibilities include:
- →Do not publish content that incites hatred, violence, or discrimination
- →News must be factual — false news can result in legal action under Nepal's laws
- →Respect the right to privacy of individuals
- →Follow the Nepal Press Council Code of Ethics
- →Submit annual reports to the regulating authority
- →Renew the media registration every year before it expires
Need help with this process? Chartered Corporate Business Consulting handles it all for you — from start to finish.