New Spotlight Magazine

New Spotlight Magazine is a national fortnightly news magazine that discusses the political, economic, social, cultural and ecological issues of Nepal.

History

Founded in 1991 as a Spotlight Monthly by former diplomat Madhav Kumar Rimal, the publication increased to fortnightly in 1991. Political scientist and civil society activist Ananda Aditya served as the executive editor for about three years together with Professor Dev Raj Dahal and Professor Dr. Madan Dahal as contributors. Ram Babu Shah also worked as associate editor.

In June 1993, the magazine turned into weekly and journalist Sushil Sharma worked as executive editor, staying until 1996. During 1993–1995, journalist Binod Bhattarai also worked as a senior editor. Ashutosh Tiwari served as a copy editor. Manjushree Thapa was also a columnist. Journalist Mohan Mainali, Bhagirath Yogi, Navin Singh Khadka, Sanjaya Dhakal and Thakur Amagai also contributed in different periods. Founder Rimal ended publication in 2008. From 1996 until the end, Keshab Poudel remained as managing editor.

After shutting down Spotlight by founding editor Rimal in 2008, New Spotlight was registered as a fortnightly magazine, with Poudel as both editor and publisher. With support from a group of professional journalists, New Spotlight has been publishing as an independent magazine with an alternative perspective. New Spotlight is under A category judged by Press Council Nepal. New Spotlight is a non-profit making organisation with no corporate interest.

Political Context

Nepali politics went through major upheavals during the period. The change first ushered in a multi-party parliamentary democracy in a constitutional monarchy, in 1990. After a brief period of direct royal rule in the early 2000s, the 240-year-old kingdom turned into a republic. These changes made little difference to average Nepalis. Politics pushed the development agenda aside. Violence used to push political agendas pushed the country to the brink. Geo-political realities went largely ignored – in a country sandwiched between rising, rival and nuclear powers, each with a billion-plus people.

Contributors

Columnists include water resources expert and political commentator Dipak Gyawali, former governor of central bank Dr. Tilak Rawal, former finance minister Madhukar Sumsher Rana, former vice chairman of National Planning Commission Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota, constitutional expert Dr. Surya Dhungel, Dr. Bipin Adhikari, Dr. Kishore Uprety, Associate professor Ganesh Dutta Bhatta Medical doctor Dr. Buddha Basnyat, environmentalists Batu Krishna Upreti and Dr. Aruna Uprety, Development activist Mohan Das Manandhar, senior journalists Dhruba Hari Adhikary, Yubaraj Ghimire and Sushil Sharma. Water resource expert Dr. Ananda Bahadur Thapa is a regular contributor and S. B. Pun contributes to New Spotlight.

Journalists Bhagirath Yogi, Navin Singh Khadka regularly contribute. Political commentators Professor Dr. Lok Raj Baral, Dev Raj Dahal occasionally contribute. Similarly, Jeev Raj Budhathoki, who is Joint secretary to Constituent Assembly Secretariat, contributes on parliamentary affairs.

Recently Abijit Sharma, who has been writing on foreign affairs and political issue, joined New Spotlight as Associate Editor. Shardha Gyawali, Debesh Adhikari and Aditi Aryal also write on various social and other issues.

With 36 pages and new columnists Prolific writer Hemang Dixit, renowned writer Greeta Rana, Development expert Dr. Prabin Manandhar has been contributing to New Spotlight.Young and dynamic writer Sikshya Adhikary have been regularly contributing to New Spotlight. At a time when Nepal is dominated by media dominated by corporate interest, New Spotlight has been coming out with only professional magazine with objective and impartial motives. We care opinions more than the advertisement. As a non-profit making entity, it is serving the people rather than interest of particular group or ideology. Our motto we write what you speak. New Spotlight is categorized as A Category Magazine of Nepal by Press Council Nepal.

References