On January 3, 2023, CMR-Nepal conducted the second phase of its Misinformation Landscape Study discussion in Pokhara, Gandaki Province. The program was attended by a diverse group of 30 participants, including Province Assembly members, political party representatives, youth, students, farmers, women’s groups, journalists, and social media influencers.
During the discussion, Province Assembly Member Saraswoti Gurung highlighted the harmful effects of stereotypes and victim-blaming tendencies towards women, Dalits, and minorities, and stressed the need to combat misinformation disguised as freedom of speech.
Bimala Bhandari, the Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists in Kaski District, emphasized the importance of fact-checking information to tackle misinformation, which she described as becoming a daily diet for mobile users.
Teachers and students in the province shared their experiences with social media and recognized the need to read and verify content before sharing it. A public health official based in Pokhara also noted the negative effects of giving personal advice to patients about medicines, treatment, and doctors, which has led to misinformation in the health sector.
Dharma Datta Paudel, an agro-entrepreneur based in Pokhara, highlighted the prevalence of misinformation about seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and subsidies for farmers. He emphasized the need to dispel such misinformation and provide accurate information to farmers.
Overall, the discussion underscored the urgent need for increased awareness and fact-checking to combat the spread of misinformation in the province.
