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Praise for Nepal’s information panel

VIENNA: The International Press Institute has welcomed the Formation of Nepal’s National Information Commission.

The IPI, the global network of editors, media executives and journalists in over 120 countries, joined its Nepal Chapter in welcoming the formation of the National Information Commission pursuant to Nepal’s Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The commission’s mandate is to implement the RTI Act, which guarantees access to information to citizens. Amongst other things, the Act obliges officers to provide information, provides for punitive measures in cases of defiance and protection to whistle-blowers. Nepal’s RTI campaign dates back to 1990, when the Constitution recognised freedom of information as a fundamental right. Even since the passage of the RTI Act, the absence of an authoritative body with enforcement powers has limited the legislation’s effect.

The RTI Act, which describes the panel’s functions, provides that the panel shall review records held by agencies, order maintenance of lists containing information of agency records, specify timeframes for responding to requests and submit recommendations to protect the right to information. “We welcome the establishment of the National Information Commission, and hope that it will work to ensure that access to information finally becomes a tangible right for Nepal’s citizens,” said IPI Director David Dadge.

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