The findings of a nationwide study presented at the conference showed that about 28 percent of citizens in Nepal find false information, and that such information is more prevalent on social media, including Facebook, and is especially prevalent on political topics.
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A two-day Kathmandu conference against misinformation has begun.
Experts at the conference said that supporters and opponents of political parties have started spreading misinformation in an organized manner online and offline, targeting the upcoming House of Representatives elections on the 21st.
A nationwide study presented at the conference found that about 28 percent of citizens in Nepal find misinformation, and that such information is more prevalent on social media, including Facebook, and especially on political topics.
Presenting speakers and working papers at the conference organized by the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Center for Media Research Nepal (CMR-Nepal) in Kathmandu, scholars said that it is necessary to increase media literacy to minimize misinformation as it can influence public opinion.
Prof. Dr. Padma Rani of Manipal Academy of Higher Education said in her scholarly discourse that technology and accessibility have made it difficult to know the difference between accurate information and misinformation. Prof. Rani expressed the view that since misinformation is coming from social media as well as mainstream media, the media, civil society, experts, civil society, and the government should work against it.
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University Dr. Bamdev Adhikari mentioned that a digital war is being waged through social media and said that it is necessary to identify the truth and look at it critically.
Head of the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tribhuvan University Dr. Kundan Aryal said that the media landscape has changed. He expressed the view that the media should look at the larger interest of society as public opinion is influenced by technology and content.
CMR-Nepal President Navin Khatiwada said that discussions and conferences on this topic will help in the current information environment where there is confusion about what is false and what is true.
Expert Dr. Dhirendra Nalbo said that misinformation has added challenges everywhere. He said that it is important to be aware of misinformation during elections, as it comes with election campaigns and propaganda.
Communication expert Dr. Binod Bhattarai mentioned that there has been a vast change in the style of using media in the past and now, and said that journalism will become even more narrow if facts-based public desires are not prioritized. At the
conference, research was presented on the impact of misinformation in Karnali Province, people's perspectives on misinformation, the impact of misinformation on the youth of Janakpur, and false commentary in the media towards the Muslim community. Similarly, research was presented on the impact of Discord on the Gen-G movement, the use of AI in the newsroom, the impact of information imbalance on security, fact checking in the news department, journalism education and misinformation, the use of social media in Madhesh Province and its impact, the status of fact checking in Nepal, and media literacy among journalism students. More than 100 people participated in the
conference. More than 100 people participated in the
conference. The
