Scores of Nepali journalists marched through the streets of Kathmandu on Sunday to protest against the government’s ban on major social media platforms, a move that has triggered rising anger across the country.
The demonstrations came as members of “Gen-Z” groups called for a nationwide protest on Monday against the clampdown.
The protest was organised by former office bearers and members of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, the umbrella body representing journalists in the country. Demonstrators carried placards bearing slogans such as “#NoBan,” “Freedom of Expression Is Our Right,” “The People’s Voice Cannot Be Silenced,” and “Democracy Is Being Hacked, Dictatorship Is Coming Back.”
“The government claims that the companies’ social media platforms are not following their administrative order and the registration provision according to those directives. The government issued the order to the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, which later directed all ISPs to ban the major social media platforms. We are here to protest against this government order,” said Taranath Dahal, former president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.
The authorities shut down more than two dozen social media platforms past midnight on September 4, citing failure by companies to register in Nepal, pay taxes, and comply with local content regulations.
Officials said the move followed repeated warnings, a Cabinet decision setting a deadline last month, and a Supreme Court ruling on 17 August requiring the platforms to register and meet tax obligations.
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However, the ban has been controversial as the Bill cited by the government, titled “The Operation, Use, and Regulation of Social Media in Nepal,” has not yet been passed by Parliament. Some platforms that were already paying taxes in Nepal despite not being formally registered were also blocked under the order.
“The incumbent government is attempting to control social media; it is not a regulation but an attempt to take complete control. The Constitution of Nepal-2072 has ensured absolute media freedom and freedom of expression, but the latest move of the government is against the essence of the constitution and its provisions,” said Ram Hari Karki, president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Lalitpur branch.
Currently, platforms such as Viber, TikTok, Wetalk and Nimbuzz are registered in Nepal, while Telegram and Global Diary are in the process of registration. Widely used platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp have yet to initiate registration.
Anger continues to build among citizens, with younger social media users spearheading the backlash. Groups identifying themselves as “Gen-Z” have called for a mass demonstration on 8 September in Baneshwor, near the federal parliament, to pressure the government to withdraw the ban.
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