Khasokhas Receives Digital Innovation Award from Local Media Association of America

Kathmandu: Khasokhas, a community and local media outlet run for the Nepali community from New York, USA, has been awarded the Digital Innovation Award by the Local Media Association (LMA), a well-known organization of local media in the US. Khasokhas received the award under the title of ‘Most Innovative Revenue or Sponsor Idea.’

Khasokhas received this award for connecting with the Nepali diaspora through short videos on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook Reels. In 2024 alone, Khasokhas received more than 20 million views on TikTok alone in such videos. In addition, the number of followers on TikTok also increased by more than 500 percent. The attractive community-focused content of vertical videos, including TikTok and Facebook Reels also generated about $15,000 in revenue. On this basis, Khasokhas received this award.

The jury noted that Khasokhas has adopted a strategy to leverage the popularity and power of short-form videos posted on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram Reels to create revenue opportunities and deepen relationships with the Nepali diaspora, and that the videos present well-produced discussions on key topics of interest to the community. The jury noted that all key performance indicators were up, and Khasokhas also experienced a 40 percent increase in community comments and content publishing.

The Digital Innovation Awards are presented in nine categories to recognize the best in local digital media in the United States. The awards are highly competitive and are designed to recognize both large and small media outlets for their outstanding and innovative work, according to the Local Media Association.

The ‘Most Innovative Revenue or Sponsor Idea’ category, in which Khasokhas won, recognizes local media outlets that have developed innovative approaches to generating revenue or securing sponsorships, according to the Local Media Association. The Local Media Association has made it clear that for this award, it must demonstrate unique strategies that go beyond traditional advertising to sustain and grow its journalism in an evolving media landscape, as well as align with its mission of serving the community, not just supporting financial sustainability.

The Local Media Association works to network and collaborate among all local media outlets in the United States, and the association has more than 3,000 newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, digital media, and research and development partners in the United States as members or constituents. Its programs and labs focus on revenue growth and new business models. The association helps local media companies develop their strategies through cutting-edge programs, conferences, webinars, research, and training. The Local Media Association is operated by the nonprofit Local Media Foundation.

Since last year, Khasokhas has been ramping up content on topics including US immigration on TikTok and Reels. Khasokhas has been publishing not only interviews with experts on immigration and other topics, but also daily news content through vertical videos.

Kishor Panthi, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Khasokhas, says, “We have not only provided essential information to the Nepali community in the US on issues such as US immigration, taxes, etc. through such vertical videos, but we have also been trying to dispel rumors spread through vertical videos through vertical videos.”

Suresh Shahi, Editor of Khasokhas, who has been broadcasting daily news content through vertical videos, says, “Especially during last year’s US elections and then the spread of rumors in the Nepali community through vertical videos has intensified, so we have also adopted the medium of vertical videos to dispel them. Keeping in mind the need to provide accurate information through the same medium through which rumors are spread, this method we have adopted has been very effective.”