ACORAB Nepal launches nationwide fact-checking campaign for community radio journalists

KATHMANDU, March 2: The Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal has launched a nationwide campaign to strengthen fact-checking skills among community radio journalists ahead of the March 4 elections.

The initiative will mentor journalists and technicians from 21 community radio stations across all seven provinces, helping them identify misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and election-related rumours. Participants will also receive training on fact-checking tools, ethical election reporting and digital verification methods, according to a press statement issued by ACORAB.

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“Community media are close to the people and best positioned to counter rumours in local languages,” said Siromani Dhungana, Director at ACORAB Nepal. He said the campaign aims to empower community radio journalists as local fact-checkers and promote informed public participation in democratic processes.

ACORAB noted that the pre-election environment is sensitive, with misinformation spreading rapidly through digital and social media. Strengthening fact-based reporting, it said, is crucial to ensuring credible information reaches communities and prevents tensions from escalating.

Radio stations involved in the campaign have already begun producing fact-checked content in Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tamang, Tharu and local Karnali dialects. Beyond the elections, ACORAB plans to expand dedicated programmes to help community radios counter misinformation and reinforce public trust in democratic processes.

ACORAB Nepal currently represents a network of more than 350 community radio stations nationwide.