Nepalis are currently not only grappling with a leadership vacuum but also an information vacuum. The smog in the country’s sky due to Monday’s and Tuesday’s protests against corruption, nepotism and impunity may have dissipated, but misinformation and disinformation remain rampant. People are now seeking quick answers, accepting unverified claims and sharing them among their friends and families without questioning the content’s accuracy. Separately, different groups have put forth their own agendas about who should lead the country—and who should not. Nepalis are thus now more vulnerable to misinformation than ever.

Since Wednesday, various Gen Z groups have been in constant discussions with the Nepali Army on the formation of a new interim government. There has been no concrete outcome as of this writing, but misinformation on these talks is widespread on social media sites. So much so that some have already declared who will be the prime minister and the home minister. The outgoing prime minister and the current President are currently still being protected by the Nepali Army. But as the current head of state and only remaining occupant of the government, it is vital that credible information flows directly from the President’s Office: on how the talks with Gen Z representatives are progressing, and what options are being discussed. In this interim period, it is best to limit the role of the army to helping maintain law and order. The President’s Office can be the messenger, even if the army is acting as mediator in these discussions.

On the part of the Gen Z representatives too, they must clearly put forth their views and positions through regular press briefings. On Thursday, Hami Nepal, a platform active during Monday’s Gen Z protest, organised a press meet to publicise their agenda. This is a commendable start and such effort should be continued. Otherwise, there is a risk of their message being distorted and their agenda being hijacked by other groups. This also does not mean the Gen Z representatives cannot have differing views. But people also deserve to know how they are resolving these differences—and, more importantly, how the negotiations are happening.

Separately, it is concerning how so many of us are readily sharing information online without establishing its truth. Ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s letter addressed to Gen Z from Shivapuri is a case in point. Widely circulated by the media and the public, it was later proven to be a hoax. On Monday, as many infrastructures in the federal capital and throughout the country were either vandalised or set ablaze, rumours about citizens’ data compromises began to spread. As prison inmates escaped, hearsay about them looting surfaced.

With Nepal undergoing a significant political change, it is our collective responsibility to disseminate (only) accurate information and help calm things rather than spread panic. Even now, there are credible news outlets working round the clock to provide credible news and information. But it is up to each and every one of us to individually judge their credibility. In these times of uncertainty, the stakeholders in the current discussions on new government formation, media outlets, as well as the larger public—each needs to act responsibly. Or the resulting anarchy could be unmanageable.