In a surprising turn of events, the popular online portal “Routine of Nepal Banda” (RONB) has deactivated its official Facebook page, leaving its 4 million followers in shock. This decision came following a series of controversial incidents involving Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah and allegations of biased reporting.

The controversy began when Mayor Shah posted a controversial statement on his official Facebook account, where he threatened to set Singha Durbar ablaze. This alarming statement came shortly after his wife, Sabeena Kafle, was stopped by traffic police for a routine check in a government vehicle on a public holiday. The post went viral, drawing widespread criticism and concern from netizens.

What added fuel to the fire was the perceived bias in RONB’s reporting of the incident. Many accused RONB of favoring Mayor Shah and attempting to shield him from criticism. It was revealed that Victor Paudel, the owner of RONB, had a close friendship with Mayor Shah, and the page had been consistently promoting the activities of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

As the allegations of biased reporting mounted, RONB decided to shut down its official Facebook page abruptly, leaving its followers perplexed. Victor Paudel, in a parting statement, suggested that he was taking a bold step and expressed a desire to be free from the controversy.

Notably, the controversy didn’t stop with the Singha Durbar threat. RONB faced further backlash when it announced the birth of Mayor Shah’s daughter, failing to mention that the birth had occurred several days prior. This omission led to accusations that RONB was attempting to downplay the mayor’s earlier controversial statement.

Rising from a platform known for its fast and reliable news dissemination, RONB’s sudden closure has left many Nepali people without a trusted source for information. The portal had played a significant role in shaping public opinion and promoting various political figures, including Mayor Balendra Shah, during his mayoral campaign.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of impartial and responsible journalism in today’s digital age, where the spread of information can have far-reaching consequences. It remains to be seen what the future holds for RONB and its impact on the media landscape in Nepal.

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