UN Urges Media to Verify Information and Protect Flood Victims’ Dignity
The United Nations in Nepal has urged media organisations, authorities and the public to ensure that information about the recent flash floods in Rasuwa is accurate, verified and shared responsibly. The UN said reliable information is essential during disaster response, helping authorities locate missing people, reconnect families and maintain public trust. While photographs and details of missing persons can support humanitarian efforts, the organisation stressed that such information should be verified and used primarily for humanitarian purposes. The UN also called for caution when sharing images and videos of deceased or injured people, grieving families, children and others in vulnerable situations. It emphasised the importance of informed consent before publishing personal stories, photographs or video footage, with parental consent required for children under 18. The UN further cautioned against indiscriminately sharing graphic or identifiable images of deceased people, noting that public interest must be balanced with privacy, dignity and the potential to cause further distress. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the UN has called on everyone involved in the information landscape to verify information before sharing it, communicate with care and uphold the dignity and privacy of those affected by the disaster.
