1 week Ago By THT Online
A diverse group of 13 journalists and 13 content creators convened at the National Symposium for Journalists and Content Creators organized in Kathmandu today to address pressing challenges in ethical storytelling, and content moderation in Nepal's rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. The symposium, hosted by Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab) in collaboration with UNESCO Nepal, focused on encouraging collaboration between journalists and content creators to encourage transparency, authenticity, and accountability in storytelling. Through a series of interactive sessions, expert panels, and hands-on workshops, the event equipped participants with practical tools and strategies for impactful and ethical content creation.
Addressing the symposium, Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative to Nepal noted that "while UNESCO's recent global survey highlights the key role that content creators play in the circulation of online information, they themselves can all too easily contribute to misinformation and "fake news" if they themselves do not fact check their own work – which most at present do not." The event began with a panel discussion on "Responsible Narratives: Authenticity, Ethics, and Audience Engagement", featuring experienced professionals, including Shree Pandey, anchor and producer at Kantipur TV HD, Babita Basnet, journalist and author, and Nirjana Sharma, Programme Officer at UNESCO Nepal. Moderated by Santosh Chhetri, Director at Youth Innovation Lab, discussions during the panel emphasized the importance of building audience trust and maintaining authenticity in storytelling.
Similarly, in an interactive session on "Ethical Journalism and Content Creation", Bijay Kumar Timalsina, co-founder and CEO of Techpana Media, guided participants through principles of transparency, accountability, and combating misinformation. Another highlight was the session on "The Impact of Storytelling", led by Rajneesh Bhandari, founder and Chief Editor at Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network. During the session, participants explored techniques for crafting compelling narratives while adhering to ethical standards.
A hands-on exercise using the GooseChase app provided an engaging platform for participants to develop impactful stories based on real-world scenarios. The symposium concluded with a critical discussion on "Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation", facilitated by Rukamanee Maharjan, Assistant Professor at Nepal Law Campus. The session addressed the delicate balance between creative freedom and ethical responsibility in content creation.
As Nepal's media landscape continues to evolve in the digital era, the symposium highlighted the necessity of fostering ethical practices, transparency, and collaboration to strengthen public trust in digital narratives..
