KATHMANDU: The Press Council Nepal has taken decisive action against the dissemination of misleading information regarding the Bhotekoshi flood, which has been prevalent across various media and social platforms.
Following a thorough review of 24 pieces of content related to the flood, the council identified that 21 of these violated the Journalist Code of Conduct, with 14 originating from registered media outlets and 10 from unregistered social media sources.
The council has reached out to the responsible media entities, urging them to remove or amend the misleading content, and most have complied.
The misleading information included false claims about rescue operations by the Nepali Army, a Chinese team, and the Home Minister’s involvement, alongside the misrepresentation of old videos and unrelated footage as current events in Nepal.
The council emphasized that such inaccuracies exacerbate public confusion and panic, particularly highlighting a government statement that clarified the situation regarding rescue efforts.
Despite some content being edited, unedited graphics continue to circulate, indicating ongoing challenges in managing misinformation.
The council specifically noted the role of several media outlets, including Phewa Khabar, E-Madhes, Drishti Sanchar, Pulseo TV, and Ichhakamana FM, in the spread of this misleading content.
The follow-up report indicates that Puleso TV and Ichhakamana FM Chitwan have broadcasted distressing footage of flood victims, prompting the council to mandate the removal or editing of such content to prevent further emotional distress for the victims’ families and the public.
The issue extends to unregistered social media platforms, which have been found sharing similar inappropriate content, including misleading claims about rescue operations involving the Nepali Army and unrelated footage of foreign teams.
The council highlighted a particularly disturbing video of a body being swept away by the flood, accompanied by exaggerated public reactions that could foster social discord and animosity.
Despite ongoing reminders from the Press Council to adhere to ethical reporting standards, both registered and mainstream media have been implicated in spreading unverified and misleading information
. This includes the use of outdated or irrelevant videos and graphic imagery related to rescues and fatalities, which aggravates the situation.
The council’s monitoring has revealed a persistent trend of employing sensational headlines and inaccurate content to attract attention during crises, posing a significant challenge to responsible journalism.
