Nepal Unveils e-Governance Blueprint for Digital Transformation The e-Governance Board under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has published the draft ‘e-Governance Blueprint’ to modernize public services by promoting paperless, digital technology without requiring physical presence. The blueprint has identified seven strategic pillars, including a management framework, legal and regulatory reforms, digital literacy, innovation, and international cooperation. The blueprint is claimed to be aligned with global frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact and incorporates key national policies such as the Digital Nepal Framework, 2076. It also highlights challenges such as policy gaps, technical limitations, and lack of citizen service centers. Over the next three years, the plan includes drafting an Electronic Good Governance Act, restructuring the Department of IT, establishing a data protection authority, and integrating digital signatures with national ID cards. The blueprint, developed with UNDP’s support, was adapted to Nepal’s context after an international review. | | | Lawmakers Debate Mass Communication Council Bill for Stronger Media Regulation
Nepali lawmakers have emphasized the need for a systematic and powerful Mass Communication Council to replace the existing Press Council. The Mass Communication Council Bill, 2081 BS, presented by Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, aims to promote independent, responsible, and ethical journalism.
While some lawmakers supported the bill’s potential to ensure media accountability and occupational safety, others raised concerns about press freedom and government control. MP Gyan Bahadur Shahi criticized the clause allowing foreign investment in media, citing legal conflicts. MP Dr. Chanda Karki Bhandari and MP Binita Kathayat warned that some provisions might be used to suppress independent journalism. MP Shishir Khanal questioned whether the bill truly upholds press freedom, highlighting the government’s influence over the proposed council’s structure. During the discussion lawmakers called for stakeholder consultations and revisions to ensure the bill strengthens media transparency and credibility without restricting press freedom. Supreme Court Warns Against Fake X Account in Chief Justice’s Name
The Supreme Court has raised concerns over a fake X (Twitter) account impersonating the Chief Justice, spreading misleading information. In a statement, the Chief Justice’s private secretariat clarified that the account ‘Mr. Prakash @SupremeCourtNP’ is fraudulent and urged the public not to believe its content.
The fake account, created in February 2025, has amassed over 13,000 followers and even holds a gray checkmark, typically reserved for government entities. The account has falsely claimed that Nepal will launch its own cryptocurrency, $Nepal, despite its ban. Authorities have been urged to remove the fake account and take legal action against those responsible. Comedian Sajan Shrestha Files Complaint Over Rape Threats
Comedian Sajan Shrestha has lodged a complaint with the Cyber Bureau after receiving a rape threat against his sister on Facebook. The threats emerged following a controversial podcast appearance, where Shrestha’s remarks sparked backlash, particularly from individuals claiming to represent the Newa community. Despite issuing an apology, he and other comedians, including Utsav Sapkota, Sujan Zimba, and Sushant Pradhan, faced legal complaints. Police have begun investigating the incident, while comedian Apurva Kshitij Singh criticized activists for allegedly using social media to target comedians. Nagarik App Introduces NID-Based Account Opening in Latest Update
The Nagarik App has introduced a new feature allowing users to open accounts using their National Identity Card (NID) number with its latest version 2.0.43, launched on Google Play Store. Previously, accounts could only be created with citizenship, passport, or voter ID numbers.
The update also brings owner verification, service grouping, QR scan corrections, and an improved gate pass request process. Enhancements have been made to the Public Service Commission’s payment system, making transactions faster and more efficient. | | | Women in Data Conference 2025 Concludes with Focus on Gendered Disinformation
The Women in Data Conference 2025, organized by the Women in Data Steering Committee, concluded on February 25, 2025. During the Women in Digital (WID) Conference, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) led a breakout session on “Gendered Disinformation: What is it? Why Should We Care?” in collaboration with Fact Check Nepal. The session explored the disproportionate impact of disinformation on women, especially those in leadership, activism, and journalism, highlighting real-world examples and fact-checking tools.
Additionally, DRN showcased the newly developed WID Nepal website, aimed at supporting and connecting women in data-related fields. The platform features networking opportunities, digital upskilling resources, and DRN publications, attracting significant interest from attendees. | | | RightsCon 2025: Advancing Digital Human Rights
RightsCon 2025, held from February 24 to 27 in Taipei and online, brought together thousands of global participants, diverse community of business leaders, activists, technologists, policymakers, journalists, philanthropists, researchers, and artists, to explore the future of human rights in the digital age. The event featured over 550 sessions across 18 tracks, addressing key issues at the intersection of human rights and technology.
Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) actively participated, engaging with international stakeholders to advocate for stronger digital rights protections. DRN shared insights on Nepal’s digital rights landscape and emphasized the importance of digital inclusion, privacy, and access in advancing human rights online in Nepal. | | | Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, compiled and analyzed from the digital rights perspective by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). DRN is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to the protection and promotion of digital rights, including the right to online freedom of expression and association, online privacy, access to information, and related issues such as internet governance, cyber laws/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal. | | | | |
