Journalists' Federation Hosts Dialogue on Right to Information Use, Challenges in Media

Kathmandu. With the objective that no citizen should be deprived of the right to information, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), in collaboration with the National Information Commission, organized a comprehensive interactive program on Friday on the topic of 'Use of the Right to Information in Media: Practice and Challenges'.

The chief guest and Minister of Finance, Rameshwar Khanal, stated that the Right to Information Act alone cannot guarantee the public's right to demand information, adding that the demands of the time also determine this. He emphasized that receiving correct information at the right time holds great significance, and stressed that information should not be misused.

Chief Information Commissioner of the National Information Commission, Dr. Suresh Acharya, stated that the tendency to use the right to information for malicious purposes is increasing. He clarified that the right to information is not for daily use but for making hidden information public. He mentioned that the Commission is working to promote the right to information for the implementation of fundamental rights and for the public interest.

FNJ President Nirmala Sharma stated that journalists are the largest users of the right to information and shared the view that it should not be misused. She said that it must be used correctly to discourage false and incomplete information and to make information flow effective.

Press Council Nepal Chairman Dr. Kumar Sharma Acharya stated that information should be used according to the purpose for which it was requested. He mentioned that media houses and journalists who violate the code of journalistic ethics will be prosecuted according to the law, emphasizing the need to practice ethical journalism.

Former FNJ Chairman Taranath Dahal opined that the implementation of the right to information reveals the state of good governance in the country. He said that media content can be made factual and reliable by using the right to information and stated that the media must play an effective role in its promotion.

Former FNJ Chairman Dr. Mahendra Bista stated that while appointing information officers in offices is a good practice to make the right to information effective, caution must be exercised as information officers themselves can sometimes be beyond the reach of information. He opined that the right to information should be used for promoting public rights, not out of anger.

Similarly, former FNJ Chairman Bipul Pokhrel stated that a review is needed regarding the lack of effective implementation of the Right to Information Act even after 18 years since its enactment. He stated that the right to information is a means to establish harmonious relations between the state and the public, and everyone's attention should be drawn to this.