2025 marked the 15th year of Center for Media Research – Nepal (CMR-Nepal). The year reflected an expansion of its works from a primarily research-focused CSO to one engaged in professional media development, grassroots empowerment, and information integrity across Nepal.
2025 at a Glance
- Journalism courses: 12
- Journalists trained: 145
- Workshops conducted: 13
- People engaged: 272
- Research & reporting fellowships: 12
- Publications: 5
- Fact-checks published: 92
- Civil society collaborations: 3
Key Areas of Work
Media & Policy Research
The September Gen Z Uprising was a defining moment for CMR-Nepal’s public-interest work. CMR-Nepal played a leading role in monitoring misinformation, fact-checking high-risk claims, and analyzing the effects of social media restrictions on public discourse.
- NepalFactCheck.org verified six potentially dangerous misinformation cases during the uprising.
- CMR-Nepal published “Misinformation during the Gen Z Uprising in Nepal,” documenting how misleading content spread during the social media blackout.
- A detailed policy review of the Social Media Bill contributed to evidence-based policy discussions.
Publications
In 2025, CMR-Nepal strengthened access to global journalism standards in Nepali.
- In collaboration with Interlink Academy, CMR-Nepal published the Nepali edition of the German textbook Journalismus by Prof. Stephan Russ-Mohl and Prof. Tanjev Schulz as “Journalism in the Digital Age.”
- Additional publications included “Digital Paridrisya” by Dr. Rishikesh Dahal and an edited anthology, “Nepal’s Misinformation Landscape.”
Media Development
2025 was the most successful year for the CMR Nepal Journalism Academy.
- The Academy surpassed its three-year target, training 299 mid-career journalists by year-end.
- 42% of participants were women, and more than half came from outside the Kathmandu Valley.
- 12 specialized eight-week courses were delivered in areas such as data journalism, multimedia storytelling, and podcasting, with support from Interlink Academy (Germany).
Collaboration included:
- Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF): Training of Trainers
- Working Women Journalists (WWJ): Podcasting course
- Civic Federation Nepal: Digital literacy workshops for women in Madhesh Province
In December, CMR-Nepal hosted a four-day orientation workshop for 12 women journalists selected for the #HerClimateStory Fellowship.
Information Integrity
CMR-Nepal marked the 5th anniversary of NepalFactCheck.org in 2025, reaffirming its leadership in countering misinformation.
- 92 fact-checks were published during the year.
- A dedicated fact-checking course trained 12 journalists.
- Key convenings included:
- AI, Communication & Journalism Seminar addressing deepfakes and newsroom ethics
- Responsible AI Use in the Classroom session for university teachers
- Climate misinformation dialogue with environmental journalists ahead of COP30
- Content Authenticity Masterclass for senior journalists
Media & Information Literacy
Through the #MILinitiative, CMR-Nepal expanded its reach across all seven provinces.
- In partnership with CFLI and Purak Asia, 224 youth were trained to counter misinformation and online harassment.
- 31 youth-led micro-interventions were supported through small grants at the community level.
Other Activities
- CMR-Nepal leadership participated in Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2025 (Malaysia), integrating global investigative journalism trends into training programs.
- Executive Director Tilak Pathak provided testimony to the federal parliament on the Media Council Bill, advocating for editorial independence.
- The organization participated in the National Human Rights Magna Meet 2025.
- In December, CMR-Nepal held its Social Audit and Annual General Assembly, electing a new board chaired by Navin Khatiwada.
Funders & Partners (2025)
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) • German Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) • Interlink Academy • International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) • Purak Asia • RNW Media • The Asia Foundation • UNESCO