Former Communications Minister Gurung's Warning: Social Media Must Be Shut Down Again If Not Listed

Kathmandu: Former Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has repeated his earlier warning that social media platforms not listed in Nepal should be shut down. Speaking to media persons on Monday, he said platforms that do not respect Nepal’s constitution and laws will face closure again.

"They say they do not respect Nepal’s constitution and laws. They say your country is poor. They say it is a small, corrupt country. Do we not have our own independence and self-respect? Due to the situation, I had to lift the ban. If it is not listed, it will have to be closed again someday. It must be regulated," Gurung said.

Gurung reiterated that Nepal has a legal system that requires registration even to operate a small tea shop. He said social media platforms that run businesses worth billions in Nepal must be mandatorily listed. However, the then government pushed for listing not because the platforms were unregistered, but to control and moderate content appearing on social media.

The KP Sharma Oli-led government, when Gurung was the Communications Minister, banned social media platforms in Nepal on the grounds that they were not listed. The move became one of the triggers for the Gen-Z agitation of 8 and 9 September.

 

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