KABUL (SW): The Information Access Supervision Commission has developed the policy for easy access of information by the media and citizens.
Abdullah Abdullah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the country, on the occasion of inaugurating the easy access to information policy here in Kabul on Sunday, said the level of access to information by citizens and journalists in provinces is very low compared to the capital. According to the CEO of the country, the mindset of government employees and how they deal with those who want information should change. “Access to information should be given priority when corruption is at rife and directly affects the lives of citizens”, added Abdullah Abdullah.
Sayed Ikram Afzali, chairman of the Information Access Supervision Commission, said the Commission has faced serious challenges from government institutions since its inception. He said that the Commission acknowledges the lack of capacity in government institutions to provide information and the lack of interest of government employees in sharing information has led citizens to be in a limbo of information.
According to the chairman of the Commission, the national access to information policy will help in government transparency, peace building and security in the country. “Most citizens are unaware of the Access to Information Law and they believe that the government is the ruler and they are the subjects and do not have the right to access information”, added Afzali.
A number of government officials and international institutions have emphasized that government should appoint employees on merit in departments that provide citizens and media with information.
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