KAVRE, June 20: An interaction program on ‘Citizens’ Expectation: Responsible Journalism’ concluded in Panauti, Kavre, on Saturday, with speakers expressing concern over declining public trust in the media and growing challenges posed by social media and artificial intelligence.
Organized by the Editors’ Society Nepal in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the event brought together journalists, media experts, local officials and civil society representatives to discuss the future of journalism and ways to strengthen public confidence in the profession.
Panauti Mayor Ram Sharan Bhandari, the chief guest, said public trust in mainstream media has been gradually eroding and urged journalists to become more sensitive and accountable. He noted that the increasing use of AI tools, including ChatGPT, has created new challenges for journalists’ creativity and intellectual capacity.
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Former Federation of Nepali Journalists president Mahendra Bista stressed the need for responsible journalism. Although the number of media outlets has grown, he said diversity in content remains limited. He also pointed to weak adherence to journalistic ethics and called for serious reflection on the media’s role in a democratic society. While technology has made reporting easier, he warned that it may also be reducing journalists’ creativity.
Journalism trainer Jagat Nepal emphasized the importance of verifying information sources before publication. Distinguishing between information, knowledge and news, he said journalism must serve as the voice of those who are often unheard. He added that the growing influence of social media has weakened the role of traditional media in shaping public opinion.
Researcher Toya Gautam presented a paper on the state of provincial journalism. Recalling that the literary magazine Sewa was published from Birgunj in 1951, he highlighted the long history of local journalism. According to Gautam, Kavrepalanchok currently has four registered daily newspapers and 43 weeklies, though only 16 weeklies are published regularly. He argued that prioritizing local issues can help rebuild public trust in the media.
Several participants echoed concerns about the profession’s future. Kavre FNJ President Binod Kumar Neupane said social media has made it harder to maintain journalistic standards. He also noted that media revenues have fallen since federalism was introduced and that younger generations are showing less interest in journalism.
Editors’ Society patron Kiran Vaidya said a few irresponsible individuals have tarnished the image of the wider profession. He urged both journalists and citizens to play a role in promoting accountability.
Participants also called for initiatives to attract young people to journalism, increase the participation of women journalists and address weaknesses within the profession. They stressed that while social media cannot be controlled entirely, responsible journalism remains the best way to counter misinformation and maintain public trust. The program was chaired by Editors’ Society President Puru Risal and attended by many journalists from across Kavrepalanchok.
