What it means to be a journalist in Nepal
To be a journalist in Nepal is to take on a role that is both revered and challenging. The profession is often seen as a picture-perfect job—one that demands precision, integrity, and diligence. Journalists are regarded as the eyes and ears of society, trusted to bridge the gap between events and the public. From the layperson to those in positions of power, journalists hold a unique place in society. Yet, while the profession commands respect, it is fraught with complexities that make it one of the most demanding careers in Nepal.
Despite being regarded as a prestigious profession, journalism in Nepal is not always valued as it should be. The job can be exciting and even addictive, but it’s also fraught with scrutiny. In my personal experience as a journalist, I have often found myself being questioned more than I question others. Even when working as a camera person, I’ve felt the weight of critical eyes observing me. The profession’s appeal diminishes when you face relentless questions about why you wrote a certain piece, whether you are targeting someone, or which political party you support. Over time, these inquiries overshadow the essence of journalism, making it a challenging profession to sustain.
Working conditions for journalists in Nepal are often disheartening. Many media houses exploit their employees, compelling them to work long hours for insufficient pay. Some even require journalists to work without pay for extended periods, promising eventual compensation that may never fully materialize. Monthly paychecks, when they do arrive, are frequently delayed, incomplete, or barely enough for survival. While not all media houses operate this way, such exploitation is widespread. These practices lead many early-career journalists to abandon the profession in favor of more stable opportunities.
Journalism in Nepal has evolved significantly, influenced by advancements in technology and shifts in societal expectations. Citizen journalism has taken root, content creation has surged, and online-based journalism has flourished. Digital creators who double as journalists have become part of everyday conversations. While these developments have opened new avenues, they have also introduced challenges.
Citizen journalism and platforms like YouTube have further complicated the landscape. While these platforms have democratized information sharing, they have also been marred by unethical practices such as spreading fake news, using clickbait, and sharing misinformation. These issues have tarnished the credibility of online journalism and affected the public perception of traditional journalists. Being labeled as a YouTuber has become a point of contention for many professional journalists in Nepal. While some established journalists have embraced YouTube as a way to expand their reach, there is a clear divide between those who transitioned to the platform after years of professional experience and those who started on YouTube without formal training.
Unfortunately, the prevalence of misinformation makes it difficult for the public to distinguish between credible journalism and sensationalized content. Nepal’s journalism landscape now includes YouTubers presenting themselves as reporters and numerous individuals going live on media platforms. This blending of traditional and modern journalism has created opportunities but also raised concerns about credibility and ethics. YouTube has undoubtedly created new opportunities for journalists, offering a platform to connect with wider audiences. However, it has also introduced challenges, particularly for traditional journalists who have spent years building their credibility. The platform’s larger audience comes with its own issues, such as the lack of regulation and the rapid spread of misinformation. This has led to an internal conflict within the profession, further complicating the already difficult role of journalists in Nepal.
The challenges of journalism in Nepal go beyond external pressures. The profession often forces journalists to confront truths they cannot always share. Hidden stories, suppressed narratives, and untold accounts weigh heavily on journalists. Exposing these truths can be dangerous, especially when they involve powerful individuals or institutions. As a result, many journalists in Nepal carry the burden of these stories, adding to the psychological toll of their work. The internal struggle to balance truth-telling with personal and professional safety is a defining feature of the profession.
Being a journalist in Nepal means navigating a complex relationship with the public. While journalists are often seen as truth-tellers and watchdogs, they also face criticism and skepticism. People frequently question the motives behind certain stories, assuming political affiliations or personal biases. This lack of trust can be disheartening, especially for journalists who enter the field with a genuine passion for uncovering the truth. The evolving media landscape has further blurred the lines between professional journalism and amateur reporting. With the rise of citizen journalism and social media, anyone with a smartphone can report news. While this democratization of information has its benefits, it has also led to an oversaturation of content, much of which lacks credibility. This has made it increasingly difficult for professional journalists to stand out amid the noise.
Despite these challenges, journalism in Nepal remains a dream for many and a necessity for others. The profession offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with the public, shed light on important issues, and document history. At the same time, it can be a source of lifelong trauma, stemming from exploitation by employers, criticism from the public, and the internal conflicts that come with the job. For some, journalism is a calling that fulfills their passion for storytelling and truth-seeking. For others, it is a means to an end, pursued out of necessity rather than choice.
Ultimately, what it means to be a journalist in Nepal is to navigate a fine line between truth and perception, between what can be reported and what must remain untold. The profession demands resilience, dedication, and a willingness to operate in the gray areas of truth and ethics. Whether viewed as a blessing or a curse, journalism remains an integral part of Nepal’s societal fabric, shaping how we understand and engage with the world around us. It is a profession that offers both unique rewards and unparalleled challenges, reflecting the complexities of the society it seeks to serve.
Citizen journalism: Power to the people or challenge for the media?
As Nepal’s media landscape undergoes a digital revolution, citizen journalism has emerged as an undeniable force, empowering ordinary people to take the reins in reporting news and sharing stories. With smartphones and social media at their fingertips, citizens are no longer passive consumers of information rather they are active contributors, reshaping how news is produced and consumed. But this shift has also raised critical questions: How is this new wave of journalism impacting traditional media? And what does it mean for public discourse and the accuracy of information?
Giving a voice to the marginalized
Citizen journalism is helping bring the stories of Nepal’s underrepresented communities into the public eye. Through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, citizens have become storytellers for indigenous groups, linguistic minorities, and those in remote regions. It has become a voice that might have been overlooked by mainstream media. This access to the media and journalistic tools is changing the face of Nepali media, putting the power of information into the hands of those who, until recently, were considered mere viewers.
If we take into account and try to figure out when it all started then the 2015 Gorkha earthquake was a turning point. As the disaster struck, traditional media outlets were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the disaster, limiting their reach to affected areas. Citizen journalists quickly filled this gap by sharing firsthand accounts, photos, and videos from the affected regions via social media. This real-time reporting not only provided critical information to aid organizations and government agencies but also galvanized public support and mobilized resources for relief efforts. Additionally, the citizen-led narrative shaped public opinion on disaster preparedness, pushing for stronger government response and policy reforms related to disaster management. Their updates provided vital information for rescue operations and connected people to help. This grassroots coverage filled critical gaps, delivering on-the-ground updates to a world eager to help. From that moment onwards, citizen journalism was not just a novelty but has become a lifeline.
Challenges to traditional media
The rise of citizen journalism has put traditional news outlets in a challenging position. With audiences now turning to social media for faster, more personal updates, legacy media outlets are facing a decline in readers and revenue. Some have even integrated user-generated content into their platforms to stay relevant, recognizing that these local news collectors who are just interested in filling their feeds are no longer competition but allies in a world that values immediacy.
But the shift is not without its risks. One of the biggest concerns is accuracy. Without the rigorous editorial checks and balances of traditional media, there’s always a chance that misinformation can spread unchecked. News isn’t just news anymore—it’s personal and, at times, unverified, leading to blurred lines between fact and opinion. If left unchecked, this misinformation can shape public opinion and discourse in troubling ways. Even with all the fact-checking and gatekeeping by many platforms misinformation finds its way towards the public who are more prone to the misinformation rather than the actual factual news.
Ethical questions and the need for guidelines
Citizen journalists also face unique ethical questions. Reporting live from the ground, especially during disasters or conflicts, can sometimes infringe on individuals’ privacy or unintentionally cause harm. The absence of training and clear ethical guidelines can mean that citizen journalists sometimes violate standards unknowingly, further complicating the situation. Being untrained but hungry for views and likes on social media platforms has raised more questions in citizen journalism, the viral videos have helped the mainstream media for news but more than that they have raised questions about the untrained and unprofessional news collection and dissemination methods.
Furthermore, there’s the financial side. While social media makes it possible to reach vast audiences without the costs of traditional journalism, finding sustainable revenue streams remains difficult. Independent citizen journalists lack the advertising revenues that keep traditional media afloat, limiting their ability to pursue stories in depth or over the long term.
A new era for public discourse?
Despite the challenges, citizen journalism in Nepal has undoubtedly brought diversity and democratization to the nation’s media. From holding government officials accountable to giving voice to grassroots movements, citizen journalists have shown that they are willing and able to shape the news themselves.
For citizen journalism to thrive responsibly in Nepal, developing ethical guidelines and providing training in media literacy is essential. A strong foundation can help these citizen journalists cover stories with the integrity and professionalism that audiences deserve. Funding models, too, need innovation—partnerships, crowdfunding, or nonprofit support could ensure that citizen journalism doesn’t fizzle out due to a lack of resources.
As citizen journalism continues to grow, it’s clear that both the challenges and the promise it holds are immense. But at its heart, it signals an exciting new direction for Nepali media: one where every individual has the potential to tell the stories that matter most to them, redefining not only who tells the news but what news truly is. In this evolving media ecosystem, it is the responsibility of both traditional and citizen journalists to work together to build a well-informed, engaged society that values truth, diversity, and inclusivity.
