On its first day, the Kantipur Conclave started with five insightful panel discussions featuring experts from various fields. One session, ‘Social Media: A Double-Edge Sword’, explored the potential and pitfalls of social media’s impact on individuals and society.

Moderated by Janak Raj Sapkota, multimedia editor at Ekantipur, the panel brought together prominent figures from diverse backgrounds. Speakers included Rajneesh Bhandari, chief editor of the Nepal Investigative Journalism Network; Gopal Hamal, mayor of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City; Shanta Nepali, a director, producer, and mountaineer; Peter Gill, a US journalist; and Sanjay Silwal Gupta, CEO of Vyasa Media Network and social influencer.

Sapkota opened the discussion with current data on social media usage in Nepal, setting the stage for a conversation on how social media is a “double-edged sword,” bringing both opportunities and risks. Each speaker provided insights into the complexities of social media’s role in today’s society, drawing from their own experiences.

During this discussion, Nepali said, “The negative effect of social media has mostly affected the marginalised and vulnerable people.” Hamal pointed out that social media often amplifies negative content, overshadowing positive developments, which poses a significant challenge in today’s world.

Gill highlighted social media’s influential role in the recent US election, emphasising the need for journalists to adapt their storytelling to fit the platform’s short-form style. “As journalists, we have to learn to tell more complex stories on social media,” he said, addressing the platform’s preference for concise content. He added, “I am confident that the new generation has the skills and expertise to address complex issues in a way that aligns with social media trends and algorithms.”

Gupta said, “It is possible to generate employment opportunities just by using social media at present,” emphasising that his media network has been able to employ 40 employees till now.

Toward the end of the discussion, the panel addressed a question on regulating social media. Bhandari emphasised the importance of social media literacy, stating, “Social media literacy should be increased to tackle the misinformation and disinformation that quickly goes viral on the internet.” The session wrapped up with an engaging question-and-answer session, during which audience members raised questions about the impacts of social media use.