The Right to Information Bill, once eagerly anticipated by the public and media, remains in draft form. The Social and Cultural Affairs Committee, presenting a review report on the State of Media on Friday in the National Council, revealed that media houses are struggling to access information. The committee noted that while a Standard Operating Procedure is in place to help government agencies share information with the media, its media focal points are unaware of it.
The committee reported that over 80 per cent of journalists face difficulty in obtaining information.
The review highlighted that while sports and culture are the easiest topics to cover, politics and the economy present the biggest challenges in terms of access to information.
Social and Cultural Affairs Committee’s chairperson Kesang Chuki Dorjee said, “The Department of Media, Creative Industry, and Intellectual Property issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the 28th of April, 2023. It was aimed at improving the efficiency of information sharing. However, during consultations, many government media focal were unaware of the SOP, highlighting a need for better communication about the new procedure.”
The committee has recommended stricter implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure for information sharing to improve access to the media.
“As guaranteed by the Constitution, the government must ensure the removal of all barriers to promote transparency and accountability. The SOP for Information Sharing and Internal Media Management is a good initiative, but its effectiveness is diminished as it is not widely known or implemented,” added the chairperson.
The State of Media report states that the media plays a vital role in bridging the gap between the government and the public, ensuring key policies and issues are communicated to citizens, and providing a platform for diverse voices.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Sangay Chezom
