Global Affairs Canada helping journalists in Nepal report the truth

Online news can easily deceive even the most vigilant individuals. Take Deepa, for example: She received a notification on her phone announcing a week-long holiday declared by the government due to an abnormal cold wave. Quickly, she shared the news with her colleagues and friends, only to realize later it was false—a result of a disinformation campaign circulating on social media.

It is often difficult for lay persons to distinguish between fact and disinformation or misinformation. While journalists must make this crucial distinction, they need the necessary skills and tools. This is particularly true in smaller countries with limited training opportunities and exposure to international best practices.

In this context, in December 2023 Canada’s Embassy in Nepal hosted two capacity building workshops for journalists and students of mass communications in Kathmandu. The Embassy partnered with Kathmandu University – a prominent autonomous university in Nepal that is dedicated to maintaining academic excellence, and with Social Media Matters, a well-known organization which promotes online safety.