Accessing information from government agencies and constitutional bodies continues to be a challenge in the country, worsening each day. According to media houses in the country, obtaining even basic data has become increasingly difficult. For over a year, the media houses have only been allowed to get information through the designated media focal of various agencies. However, despite this, obtaining transparent and relevant information continues to be a significant challenge.
Tenzin Lamsang, the senior editor of The Bhutanese newspaper says that getting news information has become increasingly difficult over the past year due to lengthy and delayed procedures.
“The main problem facing the journalist in accessing information is that there is now a lot of procedure and red tape in accessing even simple information, which was not there before. This has happened for over one year and so, there are a lot of procedures such as sending e-mails, getting permission, and going only through media focal. And this is right now the biggest challenge. And even public information is not available easily. I think government agencies need to do more in sharing information and maintaining transparency.”
Similarly, reporters from various media houses said that getting information is difficult from government agencies.
“Access to information has become a challenge to all the journalists. Especially from the government offices and constitutional bodies. The information we seek is not for the consumption of the journalist. It is for the public and the public has the right to information, so for transparency and accountability, it is a must that the concerned offices provide the information to the reporters,” said Sangay Rabten, a reporter with Business Bhutan.
“Firstly government officials are not given the right to speak to media and we need to root through the higher authorities, wherein what we can see is that the higher official is not available to talk to the reporters because of their daily schedules. Getting information on time is the challenge for the reporters in general,” said Yam Kumar Poudel, a reporter with Kuensel.
The reporters further added that the designated media focal of different organisations through which information is shared is not effective.
“Government agencies in general have a communication focal who is supposed to know what is happening in the government agency or department. But the experience that I must share is that they are not well equipped with the information themselves,” said Yam Kumar Poudel, a reporter with Kuensel.
“Even the stories have a time-bound. It should be disseminated on time. To this government offices should understand that it is the right of the public to get information and what has happened. Most of the offices have a spokesperson. Having a media focal person should facilitate getting the information faster. But we noticed it either takes time or we do not get information. Even media focal persons have to approach different officials in offices, which is not working well,” said Sangay Rabten, a reporter with Business Bhutan.
Meanwhile, according to the Royal Civil Service Commission, it is important to make information about plans, programmes, and services accessible to stakeholders, clients, and the general public.
This commitment is reinforced in the revised Bhutan Civil Service Regulations 2023, which states that civil servants are required to provide necessary information to keep the public informed about key government policies and decisions following the established protocols of their respective agencies for sharing information with the media and the public.
A survey conducted by the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan reveals that access to information has worsened compared to previous years.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Sonam Pem
