The landscape of journalism in Nepal has evolved with the rise of internet news and technology. But as a result, false information has proliferated. Prominent Nepali media expert Dr. Kundan Aryal shares his views on the age of digital journalism and the growing misinformation crisis in Nepal.
Technology has a critical role in modern civilization. Many facts, both genuine and untrue, are available to people via the Internet. Can journalism be a reliable source of knowledge in such perplexing times? In his response to this query, Dr. Kundan Aryal highlights the effects of sensationalization and virality on Nepal’s media environment, criticizing citizen journalism, misinformation on social media, and the decline of media ethics in the nation.
A longtime veteran of the Nepali media landscape, Dr. Kundan Aryal personally observed Nepal’s media development. Amid all the misinformation, he emphasizes what he believes to be journalism’s primary purpose: to offer truth and responsibility.
The Evolving Landscape of Journalism in Nepal
Dr. Kundan Aryal, who heads up journalism at Tribhuvan University, warns that Nepal’s media is becoming too focused on speed. He says that digital technology has mainstreamed news and information. It’s also made reporters rush to get stories out fast. The problem, he states, is that they don’t validate these stories first, leading to misinformation crisis in Nepal.
Dr. Aryal criticizes this approach to journalism. He acknowledges that the digital medium has made getting information streamlined and easier than before. He, however, advises using caution against the illusion of choice where different media platforms all post the same unchecked information. Dr. Aryal continues by stating that his research findings show that Nepali audiences have lost faith in the media in the current era.
He calls out that when so-called citizen journalists and social media influencers post unproven information online without evidence, it leads to more chaos, not democracy. He extends a solution of redefining professionalism and fact-checking any information before publishing it online.
Dr. Aryal proposes his idea of the three pillars of journalism: media literacy, collaborative fact-checking, and ethical frameworks for digital services. He explains that technology is not the issue in Nepal but rather the pursuit of Western media. He states that journalists nowadays have forgotten the true purpose of journalism: to separate truth from lies and inform the populace.
Dr. Kundan Aryal on Misinformation Crisis in Nepal
Protecting Journalism Ethics in Nepal’s Digital Age
Dr. Kundan Aryal heavily criticizes the overuse of sensationalism in modern journalism. He states that the use of such tactics has led to a significant loss of public trust in the media to provide credible information and the increase in the misinformation crisis in Nepal.
Dr. Aryal is not content with the direction Nepali journalism is heading in. He states that though there are numerous news networks available in the country, almost every one of them covers the same story with the same sensationalism. He makes it clear that the choice presented by the different media groups in Nepal is nothing but an illusion.
He also emphasizes the importance of media literacy and to avoid misinformation. He proposes a journalistic framework that advances by integrating conventional wisdom with verification techniques.
Dr. Kundan Aryal outlines the core issues regarding Nepali Journalism and the misinformation crisis in Nepal. He asserts that the educational system in Nepal is antiquated. In this era of technology and artificial intelligence, students still learn how to write traditional news pieces. Dr. Kundan Aryal shares his personal experience of seeing journalism students fall for blatantly false deepfake videos despite being capable of writing newspaper layouts.
Dr. Aryal states that there is a solution to this problem, but it requires the participation of both the government and the students. He recommends replacing traditional theory classes with more hands-on practice and fact-checking.
By pointing out that many young people in Nepal receive their news from social media rather than traditional newspapers or news channels, he also emphasizes the importance of social media for journalism and information sharing.
According to Dr. Aryal, a large number of Nepali journalists and educators are still mired in antiquated stereotypes and are unable to accept or instruct in the use of technology.
Political Pressures and the Fight for Independent Journalism
Dr. Kundan Aryal describes a troubling reality in current Nepal. He reveals that the majority of the Nepali media tend to view stories based on political consequences rather than establishing public trust. He explains how ownership ties to parties lead to self-censorship, with sensitive stories often heavily censored or wrapped in bias.
Dr. Aryal explains that the pressures from politics take subtle forms that tend to go unnoticed by the uninformed public. From “recommended” story angles to withholding government advertising, Aryal notes how young reporters learn to avoid specific topics altogether.
He claims that rather than pursuing the truth, young reporters are trained to avoid trouble.
He offers his solution to this problem, stating that transparency is the key. He suggests that media outlets clearly state their political representations and exercise professionalism in their work ethics. He states that true independence doesn’t mean working for anybody in power; instead, it is choosing who to work for.
Migration and Systemic Failures Towards Nepali Youths
According to Dr. Aryal, the daily pattern of many Nepali youngsters emigrating abroad is evidence of the country’s total failure to care for its youth. He goes on to explain that every day, thousands of young Nepalis leave for foreign employment, not solely out of ambition but also out of necessity. He states that the broken education systems, scarce dignified jobs, and political instability have created a generation that sees no future at home.
Dr. Aryal explains that Nepal has become desensitized to the migration of our youths. He points out that a country’s largest export shouldn’t be its best minds.
He claims that society as a whole is already feeling the effects. Families are left broken, local economies stagnate, and brain drain erodes vital industries like engineering and healthcare. He does, however, note that the majority of young people who travel overseas in pursuit of chances are exploited and forced into unstable employment with no legal protection.
Dr. Aryal heavily criticizes the government for relying on the remittance of all the hardworking Nepali youths aboard (almost 30%) while doing nothing to develop and create opportunities in their own country. Dr. Aryal advocates for reforms in the education sector to align with job markets and startup opportunities. Additionally, he advocates for reverse migration policies and a political revolution that values young people as builders of the future rather than merely as workers.
Conclusion: A Call for Responsible Media & Collective Action
The crisis facing Nepal’s media landscape demands immediate action. Instead of presenting the facts, the media continues to pursue uncontrolled news and viral hits as the days pass thereby worsening the misinformation crisis in Nepal
In this video, Dr. Kundan Aryal discusses the current state of Nepal’s media and how it has largely abandoned its previous commitment to reporting the truth to the public, as well as the leadership required by the current generation to succeed and lead the country toward a brighter future. He lists the numerous persistent issues facing Nepali media, such as sensationalism and political bias, as well as how dishonest officials and political figures restrict reporters.
Dr. Aryal also discusses his ideas for possible remedies to this issue, including promoting professionalism and using social media as a forum to advance objective viewpoints and factual citizen journalism. He claims that when it comes to media literacy and fact-checking, the government and the people have equal responsibility for change to combat the misinformation crisis in Nepal
