Government Pressing Meta to Open Liaison Office in Nepal: Minister Gurung

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that the government is actively urging Meta—the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—to establish a liaison office in Nepal to ensure greater accountability and responsibility of social media platforms within the country.

Speaking at the Ninth General Convention of Sancharika Samuha on Friday, Minister Gurung emphasized the growing need to regulate digital platforms to safeguard national interests, including independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and community welfare.

He noted that while some platforms such as Viber, TikTok, and WeChat have already registered with the Ministry, Meta has yet to respond positively to repeated requests. “Despite our continuous pressure, Meta has not shown willingness to establish a local office. However, we are committed to holding the company accountable, and we will ensure this happens,” he stated.

The minister also provided updates on media-related legislative initiatives. He said the Media Council Bill, recently passed by the National Assembly, is now under review by the Education and Health Committee in the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance regarding the formation of a Mass Communication Authority.

Highlighting the importance of independent public media, Gurung said the establishment of Public Service Broadcasting was aimed at ensuring that state-owned media remain impartial and serve the people rather than acting in favor of any political party or leader.

The remarks come amid growing concerns about misinformation, data privacy, and the social impact of unregulated digital platforms in Nepal.