Kathmandu: Nepali Congress central member and House of Representatives candidate from Dolakha, Ajay Babu Shiwakoti, has stressed the need to protect individuals and society from the growing spread of misinformation fueled by rapid technological change.

Speaking at a youth and student interaction and digital communication orientation program organized by the Tarun Dal and the Nepal Students’ Association in Dolakha on Sunday, Shiwakoti said that as elections draw closer, opponents are likely to intensify “anti-campaigns” that flood society with misleading and negative content.

He warned that deceptive and confusing information could make it difficult for people to distinguish right from wrong. According to him, misinformation is often deliberately spread to influence voters’ decisions before polling day. “Once a decision is made based on confusion, it cannot be corrected,” he said, emphasizing the importance of verifying facts before forming opinions.

Shiwakoti urged preparations from an early stage to identify credible information and recognize deliberate deception. Highlighting the challenges of the digital age, he said the younger generation must develop the capacity to counter the misuse of technology.

He added that awareness and preparedness among youth are key to preventing confusion and safeguarding society as a whole. He also appealed to party workers and citizens to critically assess social media content before drawing conclusions.

Stating that conscious and informed citizens are essential in the era of information technology, Shiwakoti said only such awareness can protect democracy and ensure responsible leadership.