Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)
The Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), literally translated as the “National News Agency” in Nepali, is the oldest and most prominent news agency in Nepal. It was founded in 1961 through the merger of two privately owned news agencies, marking a major moment in the institutionalization of news distribution in the country. Over the decades, RSS has served as a key pillar of the state media apparatus, tasked with disseminating news to domestic and international audiences through its wire service.
Media assets
News agency: RSS
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
RSS is a wholly state-owned enterprise, operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The government maintains full control over its appointments and operations. As of mid‑2025, there have been no major changes reported in the governance structure or executive leadership of the agency.
Source of funding and budget
The agency’s financial model is heavily reliant on government subsidies, which account for the largest share of its annual budget. In addition to direct state funding, RSS also benefits from allocations via the state advertising fund—a public financing mechanism designed to support Nepalese media institutions.
According to data gathered from local media experts and journalists in March 2023, June 2024, and March 2025, this dependency on public funds renders RSS structurally vulnerable to political influence. Its operational sustainability remains closely tied to state patronage, with little diversification in revenue sources.
Editorial independence
RSS is widely regarded as pro-government in its editorial orientation. According to repeated assessments conducted by local experts in 2023 and 2024, its news output is often characterized by a pronounced tilt in favor of government narratives. While it continues to cover a range of issues, there is little evidence of robust journalistic scrutiny or critical reporting on government affairs.
As of June 2025, there is no formal legal framework or independent regulatory body in place to guarantee or verify the editorial independence of RSS. The absence of an oversight mechanism or ombudsman function means that concerns about state influence remain largely unaddressed. Furthermore, there is no publicly accessible editorial policy that sets clear standards for neutrality, accountability, or journalistic integrity.
July 2025