The Government of Nepal has officially approved the National Advertisement Policy, 2083, to regulate and organize advertisement market, including digital platforms, influencers, and artificial intelligence.
The Cabinet meeting held today has approved the “National Advertisement Policy, 2083”. This new policy aims to make advertising sector clean, transparent, accountable, and modern. Along with traditional media, it now brings social media, digital platforms, influencer marketing, and advertisements created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the scope of regulation.
Why the New Policy Was Needed
Government brought this policy because of growing international competition, the influence of multinational companies, fast growth of digital technology, and the need to provide correct information to consumers. The policy aims to increase competitiveness of local products, create more jobs, increase revenue, and protect consumer rights. It will strictly control vulgar, violent, gender-discriminatory, and child-unfriendly content. Factless and misleading ads will face legal action, and consumers can get compensation if they suffer losses from such ads.
Target to Increase GDP Contribution
Over next five years, government targets to significantly increase the contribution of the advertising sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To do this, they will classify media scientifically, monitor advertisements effectively, and build strong coordination between different departments. The policy will also give special discounts to local goods and services. Foreign companies selling goods in Nepal must spend a specific portion of their business transaction on consumer awareness programs. The policy also links advertising expenses with the tax system and promotes disclosing minimum ad prices.
Stopping Fake News and Biased Reporting
The government wants to stop the bad practice of presenting news as ads and ads as news. They will make regulatory rules so media do not publish positive or negative news just based on getting or not getting advertisements. Showing other promotional expenses under the name of advertising costs will also be stopped.
Regulating Digital Platforms and AI
The most important part of this policy is regulating digital ads. Social media platforms, digital channels, and influencers must make a mandatory self-declaration for their advertisements. Deepfake advertisements created by artificial intelligence will be legally regulated to protect the public from misinformation.
Focus on Social Justice and National Respect
No advertisement can discriminate against any class, caste, religion, language, or gender. Ads must respect sexual minorities, people with disabilities, and backward communities. Ads that hurt Nepal’s sovereignty, national flag, national anthem, national heroes, and religious tolerance are completely banned. Also, disaster or grief situations cannot be used for commercial ad purposes.
System Reform and Advertisement Fund
Government will improve how they distribute official ads. They will make an integrated information management system to make ad distribution and payments transparent. Local and provincial advertisements will be given to local media to support them. Federal, provincial, and local levels will work together to implement this policy.
The Advertisement Board will get more power and resources. A National Advertisement Council will also be formed to monitor ads. Additionally, an Advertisement Fund will be set up using money from government, fees, and ad transactions. This fund will help in market development, research, training, and capacity development of advertising professionals. The ministry will review the policy every year and revise it every five years.
AI Disclaimer: This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. It has been translated with the help of AI. For the best understanding and accurate facts, we recommend reading the original Nepali version.
