Nepal government's decision to ban social media has seriously affected democratic values ​​and civil liberties.

The controlling nature of the government has been exposed by forcing 26 global platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube to list in Nepal under the guise of 'Guidelines for Regulating the Use of Social Networks, 2080' and shutting them down after failure.

This move, made by misinterpreting the Supreme Court order, has put constitutional rights, freedom of expression, right to information and the digital economy in jeopardy. This is not only a ban on social media, but also a blow to the spirit of democracy.

The Constitution of Nepal has ensured freedom of thought and expression to every citizen. Shutting down social media, which today has become the most powerful platform for citizen voice, is a flagrant violation of fundamental rights.

Through this, citizens have been able to hold the government accountable, speak out against social injustice and make their views public. However, the government's attempt to stifle such freedom under the pretext of cybercrime and unregulated content is intended to stifle the voice of citizens. If cybercrime is to be curbed, the solution is cooperation and regulation, not sanctions.

Social media has become the basis of livelihood of millions of Nepalis today. Through online business, digital marketing, content creation and the 'gig economy', the youth have found opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Blocking this sector is sure to result in thousands of young people losing their jobs, small businesses collapsing, and a major setback to digital innovation.

Computer Association Nepal (CAN) Federation has also warned that it will cause long-term damage. In addition, it is said that the cultural and community ties connected by social media will be broken and the social gap will increase. 22 digital rights organizations and 31 civil society organizations have also condemned this move as unconstitutional and anti-democratic. Even the leading political leaders termed it as a reverse and dictatorial move.

The defense of democracy is in our hands. It is not only about social media, but also about the fight to protect the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution and our democratic future.  - Santosh Simkhada, Tokyo, Japan

The government's decision to shut down unlisted social networks seems like a blow to the spirit of democracy. Everyone knows that laws are needed to regulate. But making a hasty decision to close based on guidelines without enacting a law is an insult to civil rights.

Social media has become a major tool for spreading information, ideas and awareness these days. It has given citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions, question and hold the government accountable. If this medium is closed, freedom of expression will not only be narrowed, but it will also have a serious impact on the development of society's awareness.

Government can regulate false or harmful content. However, banning the entire network in the same name is like putting everyone in the same courtroom. Such a move will not move us towards a modern society, but risks pushing us back into the dark ages.

Therefore, the government should immediately bring a clear standard through the law. Technology and society can be brought into balance only if citizens' opinions, rights and freedoms are respected.  – Pramod Paudel, Kathmandu-32, Pepsi-Cola

Some networks that the government says are not registered are claiming that they have been registered before November 8 and are paying taxes. The government has now banned social media on any pretext, the common people have made the same accusation that the government has taken such steps in the name of not being listed in the Ministry of Communication to control its impulses when the government could not bear the many criticisms that came in its favor and especially when the youth started to be more angry on the social media against the negative actions of the government.

The government is trying to turn the society back to the stone age by shutting down the changing and developing technology when it should be organized and utilized. The policy that the government has adopted now is even stricter than the Rana, Panchayat and Shahi period. In the current situation of nearly 90 million Nepalis abroad, Facebook and Messenger are the means to communicate with their elderly parents.

If something happens to the children who are abroad due to the ban imposed on the network suddenly without any other option, what will be the means for those in the village to get the news immediately? Some of the old parents who go to high hello on Ballaball Messenger, neither go to open Tik Tok, nor to call on Viber. In the current situation, one of the most connected social networks, from children to the elderly, is Facebook.

What the government is doing now, it has not only disrupted people's lives, it has created a situation where some people's stoves are extinguished.  – Sujan Devkota, Palungtar-4, Gorkha

The lifestyle of millions of users has been ruined by shutting down the social network on the pretext of exposing the government's shortcomings. Shouldn't citizens protest or criticize their representatives when they try to go astray, do unethical and unpopular things? Do we have to turn a blind eye to the fact that unemployment has increased, the government has made arbitrary decisions, turned a blind eye to the interests of the citizens, and has taken arbitrary but unethical and unpopular decisions? On the other hand, many social media platforms are not listed in Nepal.

Therefore, its users are not only financially cheated daily but also socially and morally humiliated. In such a situation, is it the government's responsibility to protect people or not? Almost two years ago, the government had called to be listed.

But they have not been listed till date, but the government has not investigated why they have not come to list. Rather, the strict intention of the government is to curtail the freedom of expression provided by the constitution, restricting the flow of ideas, and if anyone transmits false or misleading information against the national interest, they will be punished with imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of 1.5 million rupees or both.