Starting a media company in Nepal: whether it’s a news portal, online media, advertising agency, TV/radio channel, film production studio, or digital content brand, requires following a few mandatory legal steps.
This guide gives you a clear, practical, and startup-friendly process to register and legally run your media business in Nepal.
Who Needs to Register as a Media Company?
You must follow this guide if your company plans to engage in:
- News portal / online media
- Newspapers and magazines
- Social media content production
- Advertising agency services
- TV and radio broadcasting
- Film, video, music production
- Digital content creation
- Telecommunication & IT-based media services
- Event management and awareness campaigns
- Gaming, animation, photography, videography
- Arts and entertainment media
Step-by-Step Process for Media Company Registration in Nepal
1. Register Your Company at OCR (Office of Company Registrar)
This is the legal first step to create a company.
Documents Required
- Company Name and Office Address Details
- MOA & AOA (प्रबन्धपत्र तथा नियमावली)
- Citizenship copies, Personal PAN and national ID of shareholders
Include clear media-related objectives such as:
“To operate digital media, online news portal, TV/radio broadcasting, advertising, video production, journalism, multimedia and communication services.”
2. Ward Registration (स्थानीय तहमा दर्ता)
After company registration, you must register the office at the ward/municipality.
Documents Needed:
- Company Certificate
- MOA/AOA
Rental Agreement/Lalpurja Copy of Office Address
3. PAN / VAT Registration (IRD)
- PAN Certificate (compulsory)
- VAT Certificate (if applicable)
Required:
- Company Certificate
- MOA/AOA
- Authorized Person’s Citizenship/Personal PAN
- Rental Agreement/Lalpurja Copy of Office Address
4. Initial Update in (Office of Company Registrar) OCR
After PAN registration, the next step is to verify your company’s capital and issue official share certificates through OCR.
Step-by-Step Process
Open a Company Bank Account
Visit any A class bank and open a current account under your company name.
Deposit the Paid-Up Capital
Deposit the amount of paid-up capital mentioned during company registration (for example, NPR 100,000 or as per your MOA).
Obtain Bank Statement / Capital Deposit Proof
This document works as proof that the shareholders have invested the committed capital.
Submit to OCR for Initial Update
OCR will verify your capital deposit and issued official share certificates/Share Lagat.
Why This Step Is Important
✔ Confirms that the company has real capital
✔ Legally validates the ownership of shareholders
✔ Required for audits, loans, and government approvals
✔ Keeps your company status “Active” in OCR
5. Registration at Press Council Nepal
If you operate news portal, magazine, online media, you must register with Press Council Nepal.
Minimum Team Requirement (5 Members Total)
| Position | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
|
Editor-in-Chief |
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, or related |
|
News Editor |
Bachelor’s in Journalism, Mass Comm, or English |
|
Reporter 1 |
Diploma or Bachelor in Journalism/Mass Communication |
|
Reporter 2 |
Diploma or Bachelor in Journalism/Mass Communication |
|
Technical Staff |
IT, web dev, graphic design, multimedia certification |
Press Council Rules
- All editorial team members must have FNJ (Federation of Nepali Journalists)
- Submit staff citizenship, FNJ certificate, and experience proofs.
Note:For online media, having a registered domain and active website (with operator info, office & editorial team details, contact info) is effectively required — it forms part of the legal documentation for registration.
Documents Required
- Company registration certificate
- Editor-in-Chief appointment letter
- Editorial team list
- FNJ memberships
- Office proof
- Demo articles or sample news content
6. Register at the Department of Information and Broadcasting (DoIB)
After Press Council registration, apply for a Media Operation License.
Documents Required for DoIB
- Company Registration Certificate
- Press Council approval
- Details of editorial & management team
- Application form
- Proof of office location
- Sample publications or demo content
This license is necessary for news portals, broadcasting channels, FM/TV, online media, and digital journalism platforms.
Practical Setup for Small Founders / Startups
If you are just launching a small online news portal or digital media startup:
Smart Working Model
- The Foundercan also be Editor-in-Chief + Managing Director (allowed by law).
- Hire or appoint a freelance News Editorwith proper journalism background.
- Recruit 1–2 part-time reporters(contributors).
- Outsource technical staff(web developer, designer, video editor).
Benefits
- Low operational cost
- Meets Press Council compliance
- Faster approval
- Builds professional credibility
Summary: Full Media Company Registration Checklist
- Company Registration – OCR
- Ward Registration
- PAN/VAT Registration
- Initial Updates in OCR
- Press Council Nepal Registration
- DoIB Media Operation License