Seventeen student organizations, including those close to the ruling party, have stood against the government’s decision to ban social media. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, they said the shutdown curtails freedom of expression and has negatively impacted several businesses.
“The closure of social media and communication platforms has obstructed smooth communication, shrinking freedom of expression and access to information, while also severely affecting students’ studies, research, and exploration,” the statement reads. “According to recent data, about 70 percent of small and medium-sized businesses in Nepal depend on social media for market expansion and customer engagement. This restriction poses a serious threat of job losses and business collapse.”
The organizations urged the government to review its decision and immediately restore social media platforms. They stressed that policies threatening freedom of expression, education, employment, and economic opportunities should be withdrawn.
“We strongly urge the Government of Nepal to reconsider the decision to shut down social media, to resume operations immediately, and to hold dialogues with students, digital content creators, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to adopt suitable alternatives,” the statement further said.
The student groups also called for simplifying the complexities in existing laws related to the registration and regulation of social media, making them more practical. Highlighting that internet freedom is indispensable in today’s world, they demanded that the government conduct thorough assessments of any decision that may have serious negative impacts on society.
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