Nepal Social Media Regulation: Civil Society Calls For Rights & Transparency
2nd May 2025, Kathmandu
Civil society urges Nepal’s government to ensure social media regulation is transparent, rights-friendly, and inclusive of public discourse.
Nepal Social Media Regulation
We, the undersigned civil society organizations committed to promoting freedom of expression, digital rights, and democratic good governance, express concern over the recent public statement by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology stating that social media platforms would be banned in Nepal if they do not register within a week.
While we acknowledge the need for an appropriate legal framework to ensure the accountability of digital platforms, we believe that shutting down any platform without a transparent process and clear legal criteria would be arbitrary and unconstitutional.
The currently implemented “Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080” provisions the registration of platforms in Nepal, but there is a lack of a clear mechanism to ensure its implementation and accountability.
Moreover, at a time when the bill on social media is registered in the Parliament and is under discussion, the threat of an immediate ban seems to hurt freedom of opinion and expression, the right to information, and digital rights.
We respect the regulatory role of the state, but regulations must comply with the Constitution of Nepal and international human rights standards such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Nepal. In this context, we urge the government to:
- Refrain from disproportionate, impractical, and premature decisions such as blocking access to social media platforms that infringe citizens’ freedom of opinion and expression (the Constitution of Nepal, Article 17), right to information (Article 27), and digital rights.
- Ensure that digital regulatory processes are transparent, inclusive, and rights-friendly, including consultations and suggestions from civil society, experts, and stakeholders.
- Develop a human rights-based legal framework to ensure the accountability of social media platforms and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
- Adopt measures such as restrictions or bans as a last resort and only based on clear legal procedures and in compliance with international standards.
We believe that guaranteeing access to digital spaces, fostering public dialogue, and safeguarding fundamental rights are core responsibilities of the state.
We believe that social media platforms should be accountable to the state, democratic policies, rules, and human rights of citizens, as well as to address unlawful activities occurring due to the misuse of the platform.
Therefore, in the context of the government’s request for social media registration, we call on digital platforms to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Government of Nepal and collaborate with Nepal’s stakeholders to develop civil rights-friendly policies and regulations in line with democratic and international values.
We call on social media companies to operate responsibly in Nepal and adopt the necessary transparency.
We stress the need to develop a sustainable and rights-friendly digital governance framework based on collaboration between the government, parliament, civil society, and sector stakeholders. We firmly believe that adequate discourse, expert opinion, and public consultation are also necessary for the Social Media Bill currently being discussed in the Parliament.
Signed
1 Santosh Sigdel, Digital Rights Nepal, [email protected]
2 Anil Raghuvanshi, Childsafenet, [email protected]
3 Jeevan Bhandari, Online TV Journalists Association Nepal, [email protected]
4 Anand Raj Khanal, Nepal Digital Leads, [email protected]
5 Sanjiv Ghimire, Freedom Forum, [email protected]
6 Bikram Shrestha, Nepal Internet Foundation, [email protected]
7 Ujjwal Acharya, Center for Media Research – Nepal, [email protected]
8 Suresh Chand, Accountability Lab Nepal, [email protected]
9 Nirajan Thapaliya, Amnesty International Nepal, [email protected]
10 Prabesh Subedi, Digital Media Foundation, [email protected]
11 Sanskriti Pandey, Yuwa, [email protected]
12 Babita Basnet, Media Advocacy Group (MAG), [email protected]
13 Neelam Sharma, Purple Foundation, [email protected]
14 Bijayraj Gautam, Informal Sector Service (INSEC), [email protected]
15 Dharmaraj Rimal, Yuvalaya, [email protected]
16 Pooja Pant, Voices of Women Media (VAW), [email protected]
17 Ashirwad Tripathi, Open Internet Nepal (Internet Society Nepal Chapter). [email protected]
18 Roop Sunar, Dignity Initiative, [email protected]
19 Umesh Shrestha, MySansar, [email protected]
20 Kapil Aryal, Human Rights and Justice Center, [email protected]
21 Rajan Parajuli, Antenna Foundation Nepal, [email protected]
22 Bikash Basnet, Advocacy Forum- Nepal, [email protected]
23 Madhav Pradhan, Civil Nepal, [email protected]
24 Suraj Adhikari, Forum for Digital Equality (FDE), [email protected]
25 Jaya Luitel, The Story Kitchen, [email protected]
26 Nhasala Joshi, Women Leaders in Technology (WLIT), [email protected]
27 Dr. Rajib Subba, Information Security Response Team (npCERT), [email protected]
28 Binod Basnet, Educating Nepal, [email protected]
29 Dovan Rai, Body & Data, [email protected]
30 Mina Aryal, National ICT Council, [email protected]
31 Laxman Dutt Pant, Media Action Nepal, [email protected]
For more: Nepal Social Media Regulation
