Kathmandu: Dr. Kundan Aryal, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Tribhuvan University, has underscored the urgent need for a coherent and normative framework for Digital Platform Governance across Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the Asia Round Table Session during the 2026 International Conference on Digital Platform Governance held at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria, Dr. Aryal outlined the ongoing collaborative process led by the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (CDJMC), TU, in partnership with Jahangirnagar University and the University of Vocational Technology.
He noted an emerging sense of collective commitment among governments in the sub-region to address the growing influence, accountability, and regulatory oversight of major digital platform companies. According to Dr. Aryal, this regional momentum reflects a shared recognition of the societal impacts of digital platforms and the need for coordinated policy responses.
Dr. Aryal emphasized the pressing demand for clearer regulatory frameworks and more nuanced approaches to content moderation, curation, and algorithmic governance. He highlighted critical areas of concern, including violence against women, safeguarding the best interests of children, protecting electoral integrity and democratic processes, and preventing online fraud and scams.
The discussion also featured contributions from Dr. Shree Ram Pudel of CDJMC, Ujjwal Acharya, Executive Director of CMR Nepal, Advocate Bhola Dhungana, Chair of Digital Rights Nepal, and Dr. Viranjan Herath. The panelists shared key developments, policy gaps, and common challenges facing the sub-region, reinforcing the need for collaborative, rights-based, and context-sensitive digital governance frameworks.
