This is not journalism. It is plagiarism — and it has no place in ethical media

Across the Nepali diaspora media landscape—especially in the United States—there’s a growing breach of trust. While the number of Nepali-language news platforms has grown, so has the tendency of a few individuals to bypass the fundamentals of journalism. These individuals publish translated news reports from English-language sources in Nepali, often word-for-word, and without proper attribution. To make matters worse, they use copyrighted photos from the internet without permission or acknowledgment.

This is not journalism. It is plagiarism. It disrespects the original journalists, misleads the readers, and violates professional norms. Worse, it places Nepali diaspora media at risk of legal consequences and reputational collapse.

Why this is a serious ethical and legal issue

According to U.S. and international copyright laws, a translation is not exempt from intellectual property rules. Translating an article and publishing it without credit to the original publisher is still plagiarism. In fact, it’s considered a derivative work—and legally protected.

The same goes for images. Reproducing photographs without licensing or even basic attribution is a clear copyright violation. These practices are not just unethical—they are illegal, and media platforms engaging in them could face legal action from the original content owners.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) emphasizes the importance of fair reporting and originality. Its global charter mandates that journalists must “ensure the respect for the truth and the right of the public to truthful information.” This includes disclosing sources and avoiding the misappropriation of others’ work.

What the journalism code of ethics says

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) provides clear guidance in its Code of Ethics. It advises all media professionals to:

Failing to do this damages public trust and betrays the readers who expect accurate and transparent reporting. Without accountability, journalism loses its power to inform and inspire.

Journalism watchdogs speak clearly

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent nonprofit promoting press freedom worldwide, warns that unethical practices dilute journalism’s credibility. CPJ underscores that accuracy, transparency, and integrity are non-negotiable values in the media profession.

Likewise, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which ranks press freedom globally, has stressed that media credibility in diaspora communities suffers when local outlets mimic rather than investigate. Copy-paste journalism not only fails readers—it also fails the mission of the press to hold power accountable.

What Nepali Journalist Associations Are Doing?

While journalism in the Nepali diaspora continues to face serious ethical and credibility challenges, one glaring question remains: Where are the journalist associations that are supposed to protect the integrity of the profession?

In the United States, three Nepali journalist organizations are officially registered. However, none have taken visible or proactive steps to address rising concerns around plagiarism, uncredited translations, image misuse, or the broader collapse of journalistic ethics in the diaspora media space.

1. NEAJA — Nepal America Journalists Association

Often viewed as politically driven, NEAJA has faced criticism for focusing on internal elections, influence-building, and active involvement in Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) activities. Instead of advocating for professional standards, it appears more invested in social visibility and power politics. To date, NEAJA has made no public comment on unethical content reproduction or misuse of international media work in Nepali outlets.

2. INNJA — International Network of Nepali Journalists

Though legally registered as not for profits , INNJA has not held a general assembly, built a clear membership roster, or launched activities aimed at strengthening Nepali journalism abroad. Its organizational presence exists largely on paper, with no structured initiatives, educational programs, or published ethical guidelines. As of now, its contribution to safeguarding the diaspora media ecosystem remains absent.

3. FIJA — Federation of International Journalists

FIJA is the newest of the three associations and remains in its early stages. However, there have been no known public events, ethical advocacy campaigns, or policy statements since its inception. The organization’s objectives remain unclear, and its silence on pressing issues has raised questions about its long-term commitment to elevating media standards.

The Time to Act Is Now

Critics argue that these associations appear more focused on visibility and political proximity than on protecting journalism itself. “They’re quick to show up for Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) dinners or conventions, but silent on ethics,” one veteran journalist remarked.

Another observer added, “Most Nepali journalists in the diaspora are not working full-time in journalism. Many continue to frame their identity through their previous affiliations in Nepal and often experience a sense of professional displacement. A significant number are either directly or indirectly tied to political parties from Nepal. Unfortunately, many lack the training, experience, or editorial vision required to strengthen diaspora journalism in any meaningful way.”

As a result, when unethical practices like plagiarism or copyright violations occur, there is no collective voice, no institutional response, and no public reckoning—leaving the credibility of Nepali journalism vulnerable to further erosion.

What Should These Associations Be Doing?

Instead of remaining passive, these journalist associations must rise to the occasion and serve the public interest, not political convenience. Here are five immediate actions they must take:

• Publish and adopt a professional code of conduct for diaspora journalists in multiple languages (Nepali and English).
• Organize regular workshops and webinars on copyright law, digital media ethics, and investigative reporting best practices.
• Create a grievance redressal platform where unethical content can be reported and reviewed by an impartial committee.
• Promote fact-checking partnerships and develop tools to assist small outlets with ethical reporting and citation.
• Recognize and celebrate excellence by awarding original, impactful Nepali journalism produced in the diaspora each year.

Remaining silent is not neutral—it’s harmful. These associations must stop functioning as ceremonial entities and instead become credible, active guardians of press integrity in the diaspora. Without such reform, they risk becoming irrelevant in the eyes of the communities they were created to represent.

What ethical journalists should be doing

Ethical journalism is built on three pillars: originality, transparency, and attribution. If you must translate a report, be honest. Start the article with something like:

Also, credit the photographer or agency behind any image used. Better yet, use licensed stock images or original photographs. Ethical choices are not just about compliance—they’re about professionalism.

Lead by example, not shortcuts

As diaspora journalists, we have a responsibility not just to inform, but also to elevate the credibility of Nepali media abroad. The rise of digital publishing has made it easier than ever to create content. But that does not mean we lower our standards. Instead of chasing clicks, we must build trust. Instead of duplicating others’ work, we must offer original voices and verified facts.

Let’s build a community where content is not stolen, but earned—through hard work, honesty, and respect for the craft of journalism.

Conclusion

Plagiarism harms more than just the source. It damages your credibility and undermines public trust in all Nepali-language journalism. If we want our voices to matter on the global stage, we must first speak with integrity. Ethical journalism is not a burden. It is our greatest strength.

This is not journalism. It is plagiarism — and it must stop.

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Sunil Mani Dahal is a journalist, writer, and publisher of Virginia Times, based in Virginia, USA. He writes on media integrity, public ethics, and global affairs.