Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dev Raj Ghimire, has emphasized the need to curb misinformation and control viral content in health-related news reporting. Addressing the 10th Foundation Day of the Health Journalists’ Forum Nepal on Friday, Speaker Ghimire highlighted the importance of fact-based and responsible journalism.
He said, “Presenting health-related issues in a language the general public can understand is challenging, but it is the responsibility of health journalists. The current challenge is to prevent the misuse of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can spread fake news.”
Speaker Ghimire stressed that news coverage should prioritize preventive measures rather than disease descriptions. He called on professional journalists and institutions to take greater responsibility in reporting accurately on public health issues.
Health Minister Pradeep Paudel noted that the importance of health journalism in Nepal is steadily increasing. He stated that journalists not only make information accessible to the public but can also hold health sector leaders accountable. “It is essential to point out mistakes and to recognize correct actions,” Minister Paudel said.
Dr. R.P. Vichchha, member of the National Planning Commission, said health journalism has contributed significantly to improving Nepal’s health system. Health Secretary Dr. Vikas Devkota acknowledged journalists’ continuous monitoring and alerting as instrumental in enhancing the health sector.
Dr. Rajesh Sambhaji Rao Pandav, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Nepal, emphasized the critical role of journalists in raising public health awareness. He noted that WHO has regularly engaged with the Health Journalists’ Forum Nepal on various health topics.
Nirmala Sharma, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, stated that health journalism has emerged alongside the development of beat journalism and expressed the federation’s readiness to collaborate with the Forum.
Founders Honored and Health Journalism Book Launched
During the ceremony, 11 founders of the Health Journalists’ Forum Nepal were honored. Recognized members included founding President Anil Nyaupane, Vice President Kalpana Acharya, General Secretary Manish Gautam, Secretary Saroj Dhungel, and Treasurer Ram Prasad Nyaupane. Other honored members were Bhagwati Timalsina, Pravin Dhakal, Uddhavraj Bhetuwal, Deepa Dahal, Bhisha Kafle, and Ankitbabu Adhikari.
The event also saw the launch of Art and Skills of Health Journalism, authored by health journalist Pravin Dhakal and journalist-researcher Sriman Sharma. The 147-page publication, featuring 26 chapters, is considered the first book focused exclusively on health journalism in Nepal.
