A troubling shift

In a democracy, transparency is not merely a privilege—it is a fundamental right. The recent move by the government to bar ministers and senior officials from directly communicating with the media raises serious concerns about the state of information flow. By directing all media queries through the Policy and Planning Division (PPD), we risk creating a bottleneck that could silence critical discourse, hinder transparency, and weaken public trust in governance.

The press, often described as the fourth pillar of democracy, exists to inform the public. Its role is to scrutinise, question, and provide a platform for open dialogue between the government and the people. When communication is restricted, and the flow of information is filtered, the integrity of this relationship is compromised. Forcing all communication through a single channel, such as the PPD, means delaying access to information, weakening the immediacy of important discussions, and, most worryingly, giving those in power an avenue to avoid accountability.

As a young democracy, we must safeguard the values of openness and accountability that underpin our governance system. Curtailing direct communication between ministers and the media undermines these values. It fosters an environment where bureaucratic control trumps the need for transparency and honest dialogue.

This policy shift also introduces a troubling pattern: an overreliance on scripted responses, which stifles authentic discourse. By routing everything through the PPD, we invite the possibility of delays, diluted messaging, or even carefully curated answers that do not reflect the urgency or complexity of the issues at hand. This is not only a disservice to the media but, more importantly, to the citizens, who deserve to hear directly from their leaders without layers of mediation.

Government officials, especially ministers, are entrusted with the responsibility to serve the public interest. Their ability to engage directly with the media is a crucial part of this responsibility. Media that can pose questions directly, without going through bureaucratic hurdles, serves as a vital check on power. It provides a platform for the public to hear their leaders’ thoughts, policies, and responses in real time. When this is taken away, the very essence of open governance is at stake.

When government officials hesitate to speak to the media due to bureaucratic barriers, it leads to a chilling effect. It discourages journalists from seeking out information, knowing that the answers they receive might be delayed, vague, or overly managed. It also discourages the media from pursuing important stories that need timely responses. This shrinking space for dialogue does not bode well for society that is a vibrant, thriving democracy.

The longer these barriers remain, the more ingrained they become in the governance culture. What starts as a “policy shift” could easily evolve into a permanent barrier to transparency. This is a risk we cannot afford to take.

Transparency must be non-negotiable. In a democracy, the government must speak to its people through a free and open press. The new shift in policy mandating all information requests to go through the PPD is a step in the wrong direction. It restricts access to those who should be most accountable to the public. Our ministers and senior officials must not shy away from engaging with the media. The hallmark of good governance is the willingness to speak, explain, and justify decisions openly and honestly.

In silence, power grows unchecked.