Ethical concerns in digital Nepal: Media professionalism, literacy and participation

Abstract

Evolution of the internet and technological advancement has drastically changed communication, immensely affecting worldwide society, and Nepal is not unaffected. Many subtle and massive positive and negative consequences are seen. To enhance positive out­comes and tackle negative challenges, media ethics has become significant. The need for media literacy among audiences is increasing to enhance democratic participation. Digital communication with increased citizen participation in media production, has raised the need for digital media ethics and literacy higher than ever. Traditional ethical frameworks face unique challenges in the rapid digitalization, as legacy media policies cannot address all ethical considerations in the new age. This study examines the intersection of digital transformation, ethics, literacy, and democratic participation in Nepal’s changing media landscape using a qualitative exploratory approach. It analyzes 60 digital media contents from randomly selected Nepali online platforms, surveys 40 digital media users including students of 10+2 to Master’s level, and conducts narrative analysis of 9 senior media personalities along with interviews of seven professionals including journalists, policymakers, and educators.