Himal Media Mela 2025: Navigating Digital Storytelling with TikTok Partnership in Nepal
23rd July 2025, Kathmandu
Himalmedia is set to host the 4th edition of Himal Media Mela on 25th July, bringing together journalists, digital creators, media thinkers, and storytellers from all over the country.
Himal Media Mela 2025
This year, Himal Media Mela will navigate the changing world of news and storytelling, featuring insightful conversations, workshops, and masterclasses on journalism, mobile video, and the future of digital content.
This year, TikTok is joining as a ‘Powered By’ partner, marking the first-ever partnership between Himalmedia and the platform. This partnership will provide an opportunity to advance the event’s focus on mobile-first content creation and the increasing relevance of digital platforms in the world of storytelling.
TikTok will conduct exclusive sessions on mobile journalism and video storytelling, informing media professionals about creating content that caters to digital-first audiences. This partnership also facilitates thoughtful discussion about how the media may leverage the ever-growing reach and impact of short-form videos.
“We are excited to collaborate with Himalmedia to support the future of storytelling in Nepal. TikTok believes in empowering media to connect with diverse audiences in creative and meaningful ways,” said a spokesperson at TikTok.
The event will open with remarks from Himalmedia publisher Kunda Dixit, followed by a keynote from Manisha Pande and a conversation with Roman Gautam. Key sessions include Anup Kaphle on digital storytelling, a Mobile Journalism Masterclass by TikTok team, and a basic video-making workshop by Sworup Nhasiju from V-Chitra. The event will close with a discussion on the future of journalism with Sundeep Narwani and Kunda Dixit.
With a vibrant lineup of speakers, hands-on workshops, and platform-led insights, Himal Media Mela 2025 promises to be a landmark event for Nepal’s evolving media landscape. As digital platforms like TikTok join forces with traditional media, the event offers a unique space for collaboration, innovation, and dialogue, equipping participants with the tools and perspectives needed to shape the future of storytelling in a mobile-first world.
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok’s global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
TikTok Cybercrime Cases in Nepal
TikTok has emerged as a significant platform exploited in cybercrime across Nepal. By the end of fiscal year 2024–25, TikTok ranked among the top platforms for cyber offences: accounting for approximately 3,086 cybercrime cases—about 11.8 % of all incidents registered at Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau.
A major milestone was the case of Ramesh Thapa, a 29-year-old living in Tokha, Kathmandu (originally from Surkhet), arrested in July 2025. He allegedly operated a scam by recruiting female live streamers to lure men into private video chats, which he then secretly recorded and used to extort payments via QR codes and Telegram threats.
This case illustrates the growing trend of “sextortion” and blackmail via live stream platforms.
In earlier years, TikTok was also implicated in misuse such as revenge porn, harassment, and defamation, accounting for over 1,600 cases in the four years before its temporary ban in November 2023. Due to rising cybercrime linked to TikTok, Nepal banned the app in late 2023, but lifted the ban in August 2024 after TikTok agreed to cooperate with law enforcement, including setting up a focal unit to respond rapidly to criminal activity.
While TikTok remains second only to Facebook/Messenger in total cybercrime share, other platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram have seen rapid growth. As of early FY25, WhatsApp edged slightly ahead of TikTok with 1,630 complaints versus TikTok’s 1,533.
In summary, TikTok-related cybercrimes in Nepal include sextortion, bullying, harassment, and image defamation. High-profile cases like the Thapa scam highlight the sophistication of recent schemes. Despite a government ban and subsequent reinstatement after regulatory cooperation, TikTok continues to be a major vector for online exploitation, prompting calls for stronger laws, digital literacy, and enhanced platform accountability.
For more: Himal Media Mela 2025
