Disinformation flooded Nepal’s recent elections at unprecedented levels, fueled by social media algorithms and low media literacy, according to media analyst Ujjwal Acharya.
Acharya—a prominent Nepali journalist, digital safety expert, and co-founder of the Center for Media Research – Nepal (CMR-Nepal)—warned of a sharp rise in election-related misinformation on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. He shared these insights during an interview on ABC Television’s Election Express, conducted by Kishor Panthi as part of the network’s ongoing election review series.
As the Project Head of NepalFactCheck.org, Acharya highlighted how algorithms prioritize sensational content to drive engagement. “Compared to previous elections, in this election, the amount of false information has increased significantly numerically,” he said. He pointed to a growing trend where users, driven by greed for views, hastily pair unrelated or outdated videos with current events—like mismatched footage of a gun incident—without verification.
Acharya explained that this practice exploits public curiosity. Citizens often encounter and share such content without scrutiny, inadvertently fueling its reach. “People are accepting whatever they see. Their interest is visible through shares, likes, and views, which triggers the platform’s algorithms to promote the content even further,” he noted.
While some misleading reels and TikToks have been removed—either by users themselves or through platform monitoring—Acharya credited these partial improvements to Election Commission mechanisms and official reporting channels. “Regulation helps… [but] it is an exaggeration to say it will completely eliminate misinformation. That is not even remotely possible,” he cautioned.
Acharya emphasized media and information literacy as the only long-term solution. Noting that Nepal currently faces low levels of these skills, he urged collective action,”If we all become conscious and refuse to engage with such content, its impact will decrease. Increasing knowledge and skills at the citizen level is the only sustainable fix.”
As Nepal’s elections continue, Acharya’s insights underscore the evolving challenges digital media poses to democracy, calling for proactive education to curb “information disorder.”
Susan Shrestha
View More PostsSusan Shrestha is a Europe-based journalist. He covers a wide range of topics, from local matters to global affairs. Shrestha previously worked as a reporter for Khasokhas in Nepal.
