By Our Reporter
Kathmandu, 25 August: Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s continued use of monetized personal social-media accounts for official communication has raised questions over the possible overlap between public office and private digital income.
Shah, who was appointed Prime Minister on March 27, 2026, disclosed Rs. 14.6 million in bank deposits earned from Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify and iTunes in his property statement submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on April 7. However, he did not specify the period during which the income was earned.
According to NepalNews.com, Shah’s Facebook page and YouTube channel remain monetized even after he became Prime Minister. His communications coordinator Surendra Bajgain confirmed that the accounts remain capable of generating income, although the amount, if any, paid to Shah since he assumed office has not been made public.
Shah also continues to use his personal social-media platforms to communicate government decisions and matters of national importance. His Facebook page, which has millions of followers, still identifies him as a “Musician/Band,” although its contact email has been changed to “Connect with PM.”
This raises a basic question of public accountability: when a serving Prime Minister uses a monetized personal account to communicate in his official capacity, can the increased reach and engagement generated by public office translate into private digital earnings?
The question is particularly pertinent because the government already has official channels for communicating with the public, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ official platforms and state-owned media. Yet, according to NepalNews.com, Shah has continued to use his personal page for official communication, including an address to the nation.
Shah’s communications coordinator said the Facebook page remains monetized but contains far fewer posts than before, with very few official posts. He also said he was unaware why the page still identifies Shah as a musician.
The issue is not whether Shah legitimately earned Rs. 14.6 million from his creative work and social-media presence before entering politics. The sharper question is whether the office of Prime Minister is now adding commercial value to a personal, monetized digital brand.
The concern is heightened by the fact that Meta’s monetization policies reportedly restrict government officials and political figures from participating in certain monetization programmes. NepalNews.com said it sought clarification from both Shah and Meta on whether payments to his accounts continued after he became Prime Minister, but received no response as of publication.
For a government that came to power promising greater accountability and a break with established practices, the distinction between official government communication and personal commercial platforms deserves a clear public explanation.
The question is simple but consequential: when public office drives private digital reach, where does public communication end and personal income begin?
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