The recent decision by Nepal to block access to prominent social media platforms has sparked significant debate and concern regarding freedom of expression and censorship. This move, which affects platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, comes after these companies failed to adhere to local registration requirements, raising alarms among media rights advocates.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in Nepal instructed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to enforce a ban on 26 social media platforms. This directive followed a meeting among ministry officials earlier that day, highlighting the government’s increasing scrutiny over digital platforms operating within its borders.
According to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, the country boasts an impressive internet penetration rate exceeding 90%. Among social media users, a staggering 87% utilize Facebook, while 6% are on X and 5% on YouTube, as reported by recent analytics data. This high level of engagement underscores the potential impact of the government’s decision on the flow of information.
The platforms affected by this ban include popular services like Discord, Messenger, WeChat, and Snapchat, among others. This action follows a directive issued on August 25, which mandated foreign social media companies to register their operations in Nepal and appoint a local representative within a mere seven days.
Media advocacy organizations and civil society groups have voiced strong opposition to this decision, arguing that it poses a serious threat to journalistic integrity and public access to information. The Committee to Protect Journalists, a nonprofit organization based in New York, stated that this ban would significantly impede journalists’ ability to perform their duties and limit citizens’ access to vital news sources.
This latest development comes on the heels of a ruling by Nepal’s Supreme Court, which upheld the government’s requirement for local registration. However, the court did not explicitly mandate a ban on platforms that failed to comply, instead urging officials to establish appropriate legal frameworks.
Interestingly, some platforms like TikTok and Viber have managed to avoid the ban, as they have complied with the registration requirements set forth by the government.
Raman Jit Singh Chima, the Asia Pacific Policy Director at Access Now, expressed deep concern over Nepal’s decision to block entire social media services due to non-registration. He likened this approach to the censorship mechanisms employed in authoritarian regimes, which contradicts Nepal’s democratic values and constitutional rights.
Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, defended the government’s actions, stating that ample time had been provided for platforms to register and that repeated requests had been made to companies, including Meta.
Access to these platforms will be reinstated once they fulfill the registration requirements, as indicated in a public notice from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Chima further argued for greater transparency in the blocking process, advocating for the publication of all blocking orders and a shift towards a legislative framework that ensures due process and meaningful consultation with stakeholders.
Earlier this year, the Nepalese government faced backlash over a proposed social media bill that included severe penalties for posts deemed harmful to national interests. Critics, including the International Federation of Journalists, warned that such legislation could severely undermine press freedom and digital expression.
In response to the criticism surrounding the proposed bill, Minister Gurung asserted that the government does not intend to restrict freedom of expression. However, the bill would grant the government the authority to compel social media platforms to remove specific content, with potential fines for noncompliance.
As the situation unfolds, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the recent blocking decision, leaving many to wonder about the future of digital expression in Nepal.