KATHMANDU, Nov 30: The recent Gen-Z movement have made the country’s deepening “state of capture” more visible, revealing how powerful elites continue to manipulate state institutions for their personal benefit, said senior journalist Hari Bahadur Thapa, an expert in parliamentary and accountability reporting.
Thapa made this remark while speaking at the MediaTalk series-xl (40) held on Sunday at St. Xavier’s College. Corruption has become chronic with surveys showing that more than four out of five citizens see it as a major barrier to development. “Nepal’s battle against corruption demands a clear understanding of its deep historical roots, a reality that today’s youth must confront as they push for systemic change,” added Thapa.
RSP Acting Chair Aryal calls for probe into GenZ movement viole...
One of the pubic faces of anti-corruption campaign and environmental activist, Tanuja Pandey added to the talk explaining, “the political culture is closely tied to civic culture, where people often admire leaders simply because they hold power. Pandey stressed that the trend of deification of leaders must end, and citizens should take responsibility for holding their elected leaders accountable.
“When ideologies, social media noise, and vested interests grow louder, it becomes the duty of academicians to present a clearer picture from a fair and informed perspective. By focusing on how corruption affects our society and how accountability can improve public life, we help students see the issue with clarity and responsibility,” said Fr. Dr. Augustine Thomas, S.J., the principal of the college.
Organized by the Faculty of Journalism at St. Xavier’s College, the series-xl highlighted how corruption continues to restrict opportunities for ordinary citizens and undermine good governance. Recent studies have shown 84% of Nepalis view corruption as a major problem, and the Gen Z feel suffers the most.
Chun Bahadur Gurung, Faculty Lead of Journalism and Coordinator of the MediaTalk series, emphasized, “The people with ‘power and money’ hold all the cards. No matter how they made their fortune, they are respected and have greater influence in their communities. This severely harms good governance and the culture of accountability.” He added that academics must help students understand their roles in creating an accountable and responsible society.
Gurung also noted that since 2019, MediaTalk has continued to open important conversations on a wide range of national issues.
