INTRODUCTION
“Nepal’s transition to multiparty democracy in 1990 marked a new era for politics and journalism in the country. Since then, Nepali journalism has undergone rapid growth. Currently, there are over 7,000 newspapers registered, which include 750 dailies, along with more than 1,100 radio stations, over 240 television channels, and beyond 4,000 online news portals.”
The Vibrant Information Barometer (VIBE) was created to assess a country’s complex and multifaceted information ecosystem based on expert opinion. The vibrancy of an information ecosystem is based on four key principles: Quality of Information, whether that information is dispersed through Multiple Channels, whether citizens have the ability to Consume and Engage with the information, and whether citizens feel they can take Transformative Action with that information. These principles form the overarching structure used to determine the vibrancy of an information ecosystem.
NEPAL Overall Score 23 out of 40
(Extracts: VIBRANT INFORMATION BAROMETER — National Report | Nepal 2024) The Asia Foundation
DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY, RISK, AND INFORMATION DISORDER
“Nepal has made significant progress in enhancing information accessibility by improving ICT and mobile connectivity. According to a report from a national news agency, over 91% of the population has Internet access, primarily through mobile devices. Despite this, only 37% use broadband services… As social media increasingly becomes the primary source for information, there is a rise in information disorder, including substantial misinformation, sporadic instances of disinformation, and hate speech.”
(Extract: VIBE | Nepal 2024 — Introduction & Principle summaries) The Asia Foundation
“Omnipresent misinformation: A 2022 survey by the Centre for Media Research Nepal showed that 92 percent of heavy social media users are exposed to misinformation. Another survey in 2024 among the general population by the same institution revealed that around 67 percent of people witnessed misinformation last week… Given their media illiteracy, they consumed information and misinformation without questioning them.”
(Extract: “Challenges of misinformation” — Ujjwal Acharya, January 23, 2024) The Kathmandu Post
LEGISLATION, CYBER POLICY, AND GOVERNANCE CONCERNS
“Between 2021 and 2023, the parliamentary agenda primarily focused on deliberating draft laws initiated in 2019. These included restrictive provisions that posed a threat to constitutional guarantees, potentially limiting press freedom, freedom of expression, and civic space. Among these legislative considerations was the proposed Information Technology Bill, which was aimed at replacing the National Transaction Act (NTA). Initially designed to combat cybercrime, the NTA has unfortunately been misused to target journalists and artists… The Government of Nepal attempted to introduce a law that would impose fines and prison sentences for misuse of social media, but the proposed draft faced public criticism over concerns of potential censorship and violations of freedom of expression, and was withdrawn.”
(Extract: VIBE | Nepal 2024 — Legislative context & risks) The Asia Foundation
“The Nepali media witnessed most difficult time in the past one year, 2023… the plummet in advertisement market, shift of advertisements to digital platform and Apps, indifference of government and parliament to law and policy reforms, huge retrenchment at media houses, continuous intimidation to journalists, muddled management of social media/networks, and spread of mis- and disinformation polluting information ecosystem featured significantly, according to Freedom Forum annual media report… The line ministry released drafts of the National Mass Communication Bill and Media Council Bill on December 21 seeking inputs from the public. They have courted controversy. Similarly, Media Council Bill, National Mass Communications Bill, Information Technology Bill, and Social Media Regulation and Management Bill on November 30 are other important areas in need of serious discussion with multi-stakeholders. The Council of Ministers introduced Directive on Operation of Social Networking Sites-2023 in November which also drew flak for its provision of regulating social media, thereby intending to suppress FoE. Similarly, National Cyber Security Policy 2080 BS was also endorsed in August, 2023 which could not fully incorporate recommendations from the concerned stakeholders.”
(Extract: “2024: A watershed moment for Nepali media” — Taranath Dahal, Jan 16, 2024) Freedom Forum
AI, ELECTIONS, AND TECH-ENABLED HYBRID THREATS
“Emerging AI tools will result in a playground of information manipulation in the upcoming elections… Cheap fake—content that easily looks manipulated—was used by politicians during their campaigns but had no significant impact on the overall results of elections. However, such information manipulation tactics would have become influential if they were planned and coordinated on a large scale. Considering the emerging AI tools, the upcoming elections will be a playground of information manipulation, which can seriously impact results.”
(Extract: “Challenges of misinformation” — Ujjwal Acharya, January 23, 2024) The Kathmandu Post
“Access to digital security training and tools for media outlets and content producers in Nepal remains limited, rendering them vulnerable to cyber threats… The panelists highlighted that the Government of Nepal has recently endorsed a National Cyber Security Policy. However, civil society has criticized this policy for its perceived threat to individual liberties, such as freedom of expression and privacy.”
(Extracts: VIBE | Nepal 2024 — Principle 3 & digital security) The Asia Foundation
SELECTED IMAGES
(Images sourced from the linked articles above.)
Join the Discussion
- How should Nepal prioritize laws, technical capacity, and civil-society action to reduce vulnerability to disinformation and hybrid digital threats?
- What balance should policymakers strike between cybersecurity and protecting freedom of expression in Nepal’s proposed media/IT laws?
- Which near-term investments (media literacy, PSB/public service media, digital forensic capacity, fact-checking) would most strengthen national resilience?
- How can community media and provincial institutions be better supported to counter local-level hybrid influence operations?
- What role should international partners and regional cooperation play in addressing cross-border information operations affecting Nepal?
Sources (selected excerpts used above):
- VIBRANT INFORMATION BAROMETER — National Report | Nepal 2024 (VIBE) — full report and country findings: https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Nepal_Vibrant-Information-Barometer.pdf
- “Challenges of misinformation” — Ujjwal Acharya, The Kathmandu Post, 23 Jan 2024: Challenges of misinformation
- “2024: A watershed moment for Nepali media” — Freedom Forum, 16 Jan 2024: https://freedomforum.org.np/2024-a-watershed-moment-for-nepali-media/