Nepal Explores Human-Rights-Centered Approaches to Digital Platform Governance

In response to Nepal's rapidly evolving media landscape and the increasing influence of digital media, members of parliament, experts, policymakers, and regulators convened a workshop on September 13-14 to explore human-rights-centered approaches and tangible pathways for governing digital media platforms in Nepal.
The workshop was organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Federal Parliament Secretariat and Freedom Forum.

While digital platforms, especially social media, have broadened communication and access to information for the Nepali population, concerns have also emerged around content moderation, disinformation, hate speech, and potential human rights violations. These challenges have prompted discussions on regulatory frameworks needed for the governance of digital platforms.

Indira Rana, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, shared her personal experiences with online hate speech and expressed that, "This workshop will provide our key stakeholders with the knowledge and guidance necessary to strengthen our systems, policies, and laws to protect the rights of Nepalis on digital platforms."

The workshop highlighted UNESCO’s "Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms," launched in 2023, which aim to promote freedom of expression and access to information while mitigating the risks associated with harmful content under international human rights law. These guidelines call on governments, platforms, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society to establish independent governance systems while avoiding the fragmentation of regulatory efforts globally.

"Discussions like this play a crucial role in establishing pathways that uphold human rights standards while guiding digital platform governance in Nepal," stated Manoj Duwadi, Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, stressing the urgent need for collective action.

The workshop facilitated multi-stakeholder dialogues, addressing challenges and offering practical recommendations for governing digital platforms. The participatory approach enabled participants to address Nepal's specific needs and led to concrete recommendations for adapting global best practices to Nepal’s unique context. These recommendations complemented global efforts and incorporated regional case studies.

Alongside parliamentarians, the workshop featured experts such as Daniel Wilson, Head of Child Online Safety at the UK’s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology; George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of Ghana’s National Media Commission; Sidra Jalil, a representative from TikTok; Malavika Rajkumar from IT for Change, India; and Marjorie Buchser from UNESCO. Freedom Forum Executive Chief Taranath Dahal also participated.

“While the Guidelines do not provide specific recommendations that can be directly adopted by regulators, they help us ask the right questions and provide a structured way to approach this complex policy issue. They strongly encourage us to prioritize human rights when considering legislation and regulations,” said Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative to Nepal. He added, “Nepal, with its tradition of open and democratic discourse, has the potential to be a proving ground for the Guidelines, a pilot demonstrating their practical application, and a champion for this approach in Asia.”

Building on earlier interactions with parliamentarians and government representatives in March 2024, this workshop marked a significant step toward fostering a balanced, inclusive, and human-rights-centered digital landscape for all Nepalis, according to a press release from UNESCO Nepal.

The workshop laid the groundwork for developing regulatory approaches that respect human rights and address Nepal's unique challenges. The collaborative efforts of parliamentarians, international experts, and local stakeholders resulted in actionable recommendations that will guide Nepal’s digital platform governance and contribute to global and regional efforts in this critical area.

This forum aligns with UNESCO’s ongoing collaboration with Member States worldwide to promote freedom of expression, access to information, and the safety of journalists, supported by the Organization’s Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists. -- RSS