Implementation of the Principles of Right to Information in Nepal: Expectations and Challenges

Abstract

The key factors of RTI are accountability, transparency on public and private institutions, responsibility leading to good governance. Nepal has become the first country in south Asia having the 'Right to Information' as a fundamental right. The Purpose of this Study is to analyze the RTI practices on public and private agencies, media, and its stakeholders in Nepal. The objectives of this study are to appraise national and international instruments, to analyze the implementation of RTI principles, to assess the challenges for exercising RTI in Nepal and to evaluate the media response on RTI. For this, the researcher has applied both quantitative and qualitative methods. In addition, Survey, Questionnaire, Interview, Focus group discussion, and case study in twelve administrative districts of Nepal have been used as data collection techniques. The numbers of the respondents have been selected based on random sampling method. The findings reveal that RTI has become the part and parcel of Human Rights. The main weakness of Nepalese democratic system with respect of RTI in Nepal is that government agencies and the authorities are not ready to provide proper, accurate, and balanced information to the people and civil society. Nepalese journalist and press are not functioning effectively for positive results. Furthermore, information culture has not been developed yet. This research article can be concluded that among the entire respondents (media persons, common people, information officers and the bureaucrats), media persons were more aware about the RTI and its provisions. It shows that media persons have better knowledge than others groups of the society. After the media, common people were also aware on RTI issues. It proves that Nepalese bureaucrats possess least knowledge among the surveyed groups on RTI issues and provisions.