Access to information becomes tighter

Dechen Dolkar 

Government ministers and senior officials are now barred from directly communicating with the media.

All information requests must now route through the Policy and Planning Division (PPD), the ministries’ media focal point.

Until recently, ministers and some senior government officials were readily accessible to reporters for most information, with only a few bureaucratic matters requiring interaction through a media focal person.

When a news reporter sought an appointment, a minister denied, quoting the new protocol. “I am now required to route all media requests through the PPD, which serves as the ministry’s media focal point,” the minister said. “Even directors and secretaries are no longer allowed to speak directly to the media.”

The minister further explained that the restrictions were introduced following complications from his previous direct communication with the media. “Now, I am not permitted to engage with the media directly,” the Lyonpo added.

Ministers were barred from speaking on matters involving government-to-government decisions, even when they are personally involved in those discussions.

The restrictions arise from the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sharing public information with the media, issued by the Ministry of   industry , Commerce and Empolyment (MoICE).

The SOP mandates that all media requests be routed through a designated media focal person, serving as the access-to-information desk for government agencies. This focal person can be the chief of PPD or any competent officer from the agency.

This protocol has caused delays in the media’s ability to access timely information, as the media focal often lacks the necessary details, leaving journalists waiting longer for responses. Ministers, secretaries, and even directors are no longer permitted to communicate directly with reporters.

The SOP requires each government agency to appoint at least one media focal person, who may be the chief of the PPD or another qualified officer. Agencies are also expected to designate a media spokesperson, who could be the head of the agency or a senior official.

Many government agencies currently lack a designated media spokesperson, leaving the media focal as the sole point of contact for journalists.

However, media personnel have expressed concerns about the system’s efficiency. Journalists report that media focal persons often lack the necessary information, leading to delays.

“The process now takes much longer, and we end up receiving less comprehensive information,’ said a media professional.

The new protocol aims to centralise and streamline the dissemination of public information, but it has raised concerns about transparency and media access. With critical government information funnelled through a single channel, there are fears that the media’s role in holding the government accountable could be weakened.

While the SOP was introduced to ensure a more co-ordinated approach to information-sharing, doubts remain about its effectiveness in serving the public interest.

“This new protocol will only make access to information more difficult,” said a journalist. “The government must immediately revoke such media unfriendly policies.”