Author: CMR-Nepal Admin

Center for Media Research Nepal (CMR-Nepal) has unanimously elected Deepak Aryal as its Chairperson. The 11th Annual General Meeting of CMR-Nepal held in Kathmandu elected Aryal as the new Chairperson on November 2, 2023, to lead the organization for the next two years.

Aryal is an academic engaged in teaching journalism and mass communication. He has a keen interest in media research, history, and sociology, with several publications in the field.

Aryal takes over from Mrs. Trishna Acharya, who completed her tenure from 2021 to 2023. The Assembly also elected Ms. Shruti Shrestha as Vice-Chairman, Mr. Navin Khatiwada remained as Secretary, Mr. Himesh Bajracharya as Treasurer, and Mr. Kanchan Adhikari, Ms. Aneeta Shah, and Ms. Sunita Karki as Executive Committee members.

Speaking at the AGM, Chairperson Aryal announced that CMR-Nepal would venture into new initiatives to develop independent publications to showcase CMR-Nepal’s presence in the field of policy and the academic sector. He further pledged commitments to take CMR-Nepal to new heights and continue the innovative work done by his predecessor.

During the AGM, Secretary of CMR-Nepal, Navin Khatiwada, presented a report updating the members on the project activities launched by CMR-Nepal in the fiscal year 2079/2080. Khatiwada informed about six projects launched by CMR-Nepal and pledged continuity in working in the field of media and journalism sector. He emphasized the need to campaign against misinformation and disinformation and promote media literacy in the upcoming years.

He also informed that CMR-Nepal would continue to expand fact-checking and engage in capacity building for journalists through the Journalism Academy. Furthermore, he stated that CMR-Nepal would develop cooperation with international organizations.

On behalf of Treasurer Shruti Shrestha, Khatiwada also presented the financial report of the organization. He presented the audit report of 2079/2080. Both documents presented by the Secretary and Treasurer were passed by the AGM.

Speaking at the program, outgoing Chairperson Trishna Acharya said that CMR-Nepal has continued to evolve as a think tank and has played a crucial role in the development of the media research tradition in Nepal. She thanked the media fraternity, academics, and the international community for their continued support for the organization.

Center for Media Research-Nepal (CMR-Nepal) conducted its Second Social Audit Program in Kathmandu for the year 2023, reviewing a wide range of programs and activities involving diverse stakeholders, beneficiaries, and supporting organizations.

During the program, various stakeholders emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with CMR-Nepal to advance the media domain through research, highlighting the critical role of capacity building.

Addressing the audience, Bal Krishna Basnet, Chairman of Press Council Nepal, underscored the significance of “collaboration for improved journalism” in addressing current misunderstandings about journalism. Basnet emphasized the need for CMR-Nepal to collaborate with government agencies in the development of technology-driven journalism in Nepal.

Basnet also stressed the need to raise awareness about journalism, the impact of social media on journalism, and the challenges of misinformation and discrediting journalism, highlighting CMR-Nepal’s pivotal role in addressing these issues.

Roshan Puri, the General Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, emphasized the importance of working in the field of media and information literacy to safeguard the integrity of journalism.

Hari Dhungana, an Associate Professor at Nepal Open University, acknowledged the challenges of resource management in the current context and commended CMR-Nepal for its effective resource mobilization efforts, contributing to an open society and efficient media development over the years.

Dhungana also highlighted the necessity of adapting to the changes brought about by technology in the ever-evolving media landscape.

Lekhanath Pandey, an Assistant Professor at Tribhuvan University, pointed out the significant role played by CMR-Nepal in combating misinformation and disinformation, sparking discussions among various stakeholders and the public at large.

Beneficiaries of CMR-Nepal projects shared their experiences with the CMR-Nepal Journalism Academy. Journalists Praju Panta and Mani Dahal, who received training in data journalism, praised the engaging blended-format training that spanned three months. They highlighted how this training enhanced their ability to develop news stories using data and utilize new technology for data retrieval.

Journalist Pawan Acharya, also serving as the Secretary of FNJ, recognized the significance of podcast training as a new storytelling genre that has enabled the production of podcast stories.

Om Astha Rai, Senior Media Advisor of The Asia Foundation, emphasized how CMR-Nepal’s activities have supported the Civil Society and Media Project initiated by TAF to promote media integrity. He underscored the importance of organizing social audit programs involving various stakeholders and beneficiaries.

During the program, Executive Director Tilak Pathak provided insights into the project activities conducted by CMR in the previous year, while Operation Director at CMR-Nepal, Bikash Karki, presented details of the financial and budget allocation for organizing the project activities.

The program’s Social Auditor, Raghunath Lamichhane, ensured its successful execution. Attendees included representatives from various media rights organizations, journalists, independent researchers, academia, grant-making organizations, and CMR members.

Mr. Sashi Kumar, the distinguished founder chairman of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) in Chennai, India, embarked on a two-day visit to the CMR Nepal Journalism Academy, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. The visit took place on September 12 and 13, 2023, and featured a series of insightful sessions.

On the first day of his visit, Mr. Sashi Kumar actively engaged with the Academy’s management team in two key sessions.

In the first session, he introduced himself and his renowned institution, ACJ, providing an overview of the college’s history, mission, and contributions to journalism education.

The second session on the first day was led by Mr. Ujjwal Acharya, Managing Director of the Journalism Academy.

During this session, Mr. Acharya introduced the Academy, its diverse range of courses, and the core principles that guide its educational approach.

This informative exchange allowed for a comprehensive understanding of both institutions’ visions and objectives.

The discussions continued on the second day, where both parties delved into the challenges and sustainability aspects the Academy. Mr. Sashi Kumar brought valuable insights from his extensive experience in journalism education, shedding light on strategies for overcoming these challenges.

The second session on the second day expanded the conversation to include Academy’s trainers, CMR Nepal members, and ACJ alumni in Nepal.

This broader engagement enabled a deeper exploration of the intricacies and evolving challenges of journalism and journalism education. Mr. Sashi Kumar’s expertise and the presence of Interlink Academy’s Director, Werner Eggert, enriched the dialogue, providing a holistic perspective on these issues.

The visit of Mr. Sashi Kumar, a distinguished figure in journalism education, not only strengthened ties between ACJ and CMR Nepal Journalism Academy but also facilitated knowledge sharing and collaboration in the ever-evolving field of journalism.

As continuation of our work on media and information literacy (MIL) in schools, a one-day Training of Trainers (TOT) session was conducted in Biratnagar on October 9. The workshop aimed to empower teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to promote MIL among their students.

Nine dedicated teachers from both private and community schools in the region participated in the TOT session. The event was organized by CMR-Nepal and received support from the Open Society Foundations (OSF).

The training equipped these educators with essential tools to teach students how to critically assess and navigate the vast landscape of information available in today’s digital age. MIL is increasingly recognized as a crucial skillset, allowing individuals to distinguish between reliable sources and misinformation.

One distinctive feature of this program is its practical application. Following the TOT session, the participating teachers will organize MIL workshops at their respective schools. CMR-Nepal has provided microgrants to support these workshops, ensuring that students benefit directly from the training received by their teachers.

CMR-Nepal plans to replicate similar workshops in four other provinces – Gandaki, Bagmati, Karnali and Sudupaschim, spreading the knowledge and skills related to MIL to a broader audience of students and teachers across the country.

A two-day workshop on information manipulation, held on September 7 and 8, brought together 20 youth leaders from diverse backgrounds, including politics, media, and civil society at Bhedetar, Koshi Province, east Nepal.

The workshop aimed to equip these young participants with essential knowledge and skills to combat the growing challenge of information manipulation.

Organized by CMR-Nepal with support from the International Republican Institute (IRI), the workshop covered a range of topics. Participants delved into understanding information manipulation, its actors, contents, tactics, and vectors. They also explored the specific context and situation of Nepal in relation to information manipulation.

The workshop placed a strong emphasis on proactive and reactive interventions against information manipulation. Participants engaged in discussions and practical sessions focused on media and information literacy, as well as fact-checking. These skills are critical for identifying and countering false information in today’s information-rich environment.

One of the key highlights of the workshop was the collaborative effort of the participants in designing campaigns against information manipulation. These campaigns are expected to raise awareness and encourage critical thinking among the public regarding the information they consume.

The workshop was facilitated by Ujjwal Acharya and Umesh Shrestha, who brought their extensive knowledge and experience in the field of information manipulation to guide the participants.

By empowering these youth leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to combat information manipulation, this workshop has taken a significant step toward building a more informed and resilient society in Nepal. It is hoped that the insights gained from the workshop will ripple through various sectors, contributing to a more vigilant and discerning citizenry in the face of misinformation and manipulation.

In addition to the successful workshop in Koshi Province, CMR-Nepal and IRI have announced plans to extend their efforts in combatting information manipulation across Nepal. They will be organizing similar workshops in the remaining six provinces of the country.

By reaching out to youth leaders in various provinces, CMR-Nepal and IRI aim to build a network of informed and empowered individuals who can actively counter misinformation and manipulation in their respective regions.

The Center for Media Research – Nepal orchestrated an engaging discussion program centered around the pivotal role of stakeholders in curbing the dissemination of false information in Pokhara on August 11.

Gracing the occasion, Sushila Simkhada, the Minister of Social Development and Health, shed light on the pressing issue of the current propagation of inaccurate information.

Minister Sinmkhada underscored the importance of collective vigilance and responsibility in halting this concerning trend.

She said, “It’s imperative that we collectively contemplate measures to impede the proliferation of erroneous information. We remain dedicated to collaboratively advancing in the right direction.”

The event garnered substantial attendance, with over 50 participants present, including state parliamentarians, representatives from various political factions, local government envoys, members of civil society, professionals from diverse industries, members of the Nepal Press Council, and esteemed journalists.

The individuals participating in the program accentuated the indispensable need for concerted efforts across all sectors to combat misinformation. They advocated for a united front against misinformation, advocating for proactive campaigns rather than reactive measures.

The participants emphasized the essence of proactive engagement, urging each stakeholder to contribute effectively from their respective vantage points.

The Center for Media Research – Nepal (CMR-Nepal) organized an interaction program in Kathmandu on May 19, 2023, with a focus on addressing the urgent issues of corruption and good governance.

Distinguished experts shed light on the origins of corruption, its underlying causes, and potential solutions.

Speaking at the program, Former Secretary of Nepal Government Purna Chandra Bhattarai emphasized the dysfunctional nature of the corruption control mechanism, highlighting the necessity of a strong anti-corruption mission. Bhattarai stressed the crucial role of the media in combating corruption.

Dipesh Ghimire, an assistant professor at Tribhuvan University, pointed out the lack of accountability in the governing system and the absence of a clear framework for resource utilization.

Ghimire further criticized the governing system itself for facilitating corruption and emphasized the need for a merit-based approach. He also called attention to the media’s inadequate coverage of corruption issues in the private sector.

During the program, Devendra Bhattarai, a senior journalist from Kantipur Daily, shared his experience of uncovering the issue surrounding Bhutanese refugees scam. Bhattarai explained how victims approached him with substantial evidence, enabling him to delve deeper into the matter.

However, he also highlighted the challenges he faced, including media trials conducted by major political parties. Bhattarai raised concerns about the seriousness of government authorities in investigating the issue, especially considering the arrest of several political leaders and the influence of political pressure on law enforcement agencies.

Journalists from various media houses participated in the program.