The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Despite the adoption of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on access to information in 2023, Bhutanese journalists continue to report significant delays in obtaining timely information from government agencies. The SOP, introduced by the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP), mandates that government-held information be provided within five working days. However, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s recent report on corruption vulnerabilities and integrity in the media sector, some agencies have taken weeks or even months to respond, with certain queries redirected to Meet-the-Press sessions instead of being answered directly.
In response to these ongoing challenges, the Minister for Industries, Commerce and Employment Namgayl Dorji said DoMCIIP, as the nodal agency for maintaining the press environment, has initiated several measures. These include media engagement programs, SOP sensitization workshops, and development of communication strategies. The department has also facilitated real-time panel discussions focused on access to information and freedom of the press.
Further efforts to strengthen the media landscape include supporting the Bhutan Press Mirror journal, publishing the Rapid Assessment of Media Landscape of Bhutan, and developing a Media Perception Index (all by Journalists’ Association of Bhutan), which is currently underway.
While acknowledging that the SOP is a guiding document rather than a legally binding directive, the department expressed hope that its implementation will fix accountability, simplify the process of information sharing, and improve transparency. Officials also emphasized the need for government agencies to view information sharing as a core public service and to institutionalize it accordingly.
At the same time, the minister urged media professionals to accompany their information requests with background research and context, which they believe can help agencies provide more complete and timely responses.
The statement further highlighted that reliance on personal relationships to access information could lead to selective transparency and potential bias. Recognizing the presence of many young journalists in Bhutan’s newsrooms who may face additional challenges, the minister reiterated the shared responsibility of all government agencies to ensure fair and transparent information sharing through structured, institutional measures.
