The Chairperson of Press Council Nepal, Balkrishna Basnet, emphasized that false and misleading content should not be published in the media as news. He highlighted the confusion such content causes among the general public and its detrimental impact on media credibility.

Addressing a code of conduct orientation program organized by the council on Sunday, focusing on YouTube management, Basnet advised against engaging in journalism that perpetuates falsehoods. “Let’s not pollute journalism by spreading false content,” he stated. He underscored the need for mature journalism, regardless of the medium, emphasizing the importance of working in a non-controversial, accountable, and responsible manner. “Everyone can raise questions,” he added.

Basnet noted a tendency among some YouTube channels to propagate falsehoods, questioning the professional value of such journalism. He expressed concern that current journalism is too focused on insults, suggesting that maintaining professional dignity requires healthy and controversy-free journalism.

“If we don’t uphold standards, this field will never be respected. It is up to us to decide how to conduct ourselves. If we are to do journalism through YouTube, we must adhere to its dignity,” he stated. Basnet also mentioned that the Press Council of Nepal has been conducting orientation programs for YouTube operators who are weak in following the journalistic code of conduct.

The program saw the participation of 30 publishers and editors from various YouTube channels.