Narayan Prasad Ghimire

A noted litterateur Taranath Sharma passed away recently. Many of us might have read his acclaimed essays, including 'Ghanaghasyako Ukalo Katda' and 'Baktaharuko Kuno' (Speakers' Corner). Baktaharuko Kuno, as the late writer explained, was a public sphere/space in the UK where people were free to express their ire, frustration, protest, solidarity and panegyric on any issue or system.
Their admiration and protest could be targeted against system, society or leaders. What mattered most was the unfettered opportunity to people to exercise freedom of speech at public place where there could be numerous audiences. The speaker's corner was, therefore, an unrestricted public platform, which was used by commoners to make critical thoughts on issues of public importance.

Public platforms
In our practices too, there are numerous public places, such as chautaro, pandhero, mandala, pati pauwa, falcha, chowk, park, garden, and squares where diverse views can be heard. The political parties, social organisations, campaigners, protestors and commoners lobbying for or against any agenda are noticed daily in such public spheres in Nepal. Recently, the furore over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact drew huge gatherings and protests at these places even in the federal capital, Kathmandu. Maitighar Mandala, located near the country's central administrative complex, Singha Durbar, gets occupied frequently with such public gatherings. One of the most noticeable protests conducted in recent years was the demonstration against Guthi Bill at Maitighar Mandala. Needless to say, protest is also a form of expression. Peaceful protest is guaranteed by our constitution.

But, in the wake of digital disruption, an essential pillar of the fourth industrial revolution, human activities are conducted virtual. The internet features have also gone through advancement as per time. The internet, initially limited to research institutions, academia and security agencies, gradually entered the commercial phase after 1990s. The next phase led to Web 2.0, which contributed to the proliferation of internet platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, WeChat, etc. With the expansion of internet infrastructures and increased use of smart phones, these platforms have further facilitated the people's connectivity irrespective of distance and geography.

Currently, more than 55 per cent population has access to internet globally. Total broadband internet reach has already exceeded 100 per cent in Nepal as well. With easy access to internet platforms, people have been exercising their rights online. Staying in Nepal, we are able to comment on US President's tweets, or sympathise with Ukraine people. Similarly, those staying in the country and abroad are equally putting forth their views on any topic in a bid to correct political foibles, policy failures and public unrest. The online anti-corruption campaigns have been commonplace at home and abroad. We can see several young singers utilising YouTube and honing their skills and enriching audience.

Facebook and YouTube are two largest digital public spheres in Nepal. These have not only bolstered citizens’ free speech but also contributed to promoting transparency in the system. It evidently reinforces the concept of freedom of expression as a frontier-less issue which has been truly translated by the internet. One of the most celebrated philosophers Jurgen Habermas is unforgettable when it comes to 'public sphere'. His thoughts on public sphere underscore the critical thoughts of people towards State activities. He said, "The citizen plays the role of a private person who is not acting on behalf of a business or private interests but as one who is dealing with matters of general interest in order to form a public sphere. There is no intimidating force behind the public sphere but its citizens assemble and unite freely to express their opinions."

Habermas' views on public sphere best suits the modern public sphere facilitated by the internet. Similarly, another theme he suggests is criticism, which is essential for the functional system. We can further interpret that the opinions of citizens count much to the State affairs, thereby making power holders accountable and transparent. To this end, the views surfaced on internet platforms cannot be ignored at all. Late Taranath Sharma's 'Baktaharuko Kuno' holds equally similar relevance to it.

With these salient features ensured by digital public spheres, there is no denying the fact that these modern digital spheres must be valued and recognised. It is necessary to think whether every person is safe and secure to utilise the digital public sphere. How about the voices of Nepali women in digital spheres? Are the modern public spheres not discriminatory? It is not unwise to say that the issues and agendas in the new public spheres are dominated by male narratives. It is indeed the reflection of Nepali society and psychology. Once you go through YouTube presentations on women, e.g. of single women, women whose spouses are working in foreign countries, they are presented in a derogatory manner.

Cyber threats
The views of such women are presented in a way to perpetuate stereotypes-- female are submissive, tender, coward, incompetent, dishonest, etc. Next problem tarnishing the image of digital public sphere is increasing cyber threats including harassment of people for expressing critical thoughts on issues of public concern. Although healthy criticism is the beauty of democracy, the incendiary and vituperative remarks on Facebook and Twitter are real eyesore.

Similar unavoidable problem facing the modern public sphere is the flow of mis/disinformation which has not only polluted information ecosystem but also given impetus to spiralling populism and conspiracy. Journalism is finding it tough to retain its image by wading through the world of attention-seeking public spheres which is getting dominated by mis/disinformation. It is safe to argue that truth and trust are major casualties of fake news propelled by modern public spheres. An assault on and erosion of truth and trust deal a severe blow to democracy and salubrious public sphere. Isn't it high time all sides worked together to make modern digital platforms valued and respected where everyone is safe and free?

(Ghimire is associated with National News Agency.)