Nepal’s arbitrary social media ban undermines democracy and freedom of expression
KATHMANDU | September 4: Media Action Nepal strongly condemns and expresses deep concern over the Government of Nepal’s arbitrary decision of 4 September 2025 to impose a blanket ban on 26 social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Redditt, Discord, Snapchat and Rumble.
This decision bypasses the parliamentary process, undermines constitutional guarantees, and disregards citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal and in the international human rights treaties to which Nepal is a state party.
This decision bypasses the parliamentary process, undermines constitutional guarantees, and disregards citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal and in the international human rights treaties to which Nepal is a state party.
Commenting on the decision, Laxman Datt Pant, Founding Chair of Media Action Nepal, said:
“By imposing such a ban through an administrative order, the government has launched an outrageous attack on freedom of expression and independent journalism, in clear violation of Nepal’s Constitution and its international commitments under human rights treaties.”
Pant stressed that in any democracy, social media platforms are vital spaces for citizens to express their opinions, communicate freely, engage in public debate—including criticism of authorities—and hold those in power accountable. This arbitrary move not only curtails the people’s right to information and freedom of expression, but also shrinks press freedom, civic participation, and the ability of journalists to report independently.
Media Action Nepal calls on authorities to immediately withdraw this arbitrary administrative decision. Any regulation of social media must be pursued only through legislation passed by the Parliament, in full compliance with constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, press freedom, and Nepal’s obligations under international human rights law.
Any regulation of social media must be pursued only through legislation passed by the sovereign Parliament, in full compliance with constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, press freedom, and Nepal’s obligations under international human rights law.