KATHMANDU: The Press Council Nepal has taken disciplinary actions against 31 YouTubers, including both individuals and companies, over the past 15 days for violating the Journalist Code of Conduct.
In a press statement issued today, the Council stated that the actions targeted YouTubers registered and not registered with the Council as media entities.
The Council addressed media outlets and media personnel found to be in breach of journalistic ethics, particularly those whose content promoted conflict, defamed individuals, or spread biased information.
Specifically, three YouTube channels listed as media entities—Hello TV Nepal, PNP Media, and Nagarik Patra—were directed to edit and remove content that violated the code of conduct.
These channels were also instructed to suspend the dissemination of adverse content and to remove obscene material immediately.
They were given 24 hours to comply and provide a clarification.
Additionally, the Council referred 28 YouTube channels, which were not affiliated with media but were disseminating obscene content, to the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police for further investigation and action.
In the last fiscal year 2023/24, the Press Council Nepal sanctioned a total of 43 YouTubers for similar violations.
The Council emphasized that it closely monitors social media content, particularly from YouTubers, regardless of their media affiliations.
The statement highlighted the Council’s concern over the spread of content that incites conflict, violence, and terror, as well as the use of abusive language and the dissemination of unverified information to artificially boost viewership.
Council President Bal Krishna Basnet stated that the penalized YouTubers were held accountable according to specific standards.
He reiterated that baseless, one-sided, and misleading content cannot be disseminated through digital platforms.
Basnet emphasized the importance of using social media responsibly to promote the media sector rather than exploiting it.
The Council has issued separate standards and guidelines to regulate and take action against errant YouTubers.
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