KATHMANDU, April 2: A book 'Right to Information: Attainment and Application' penned by journalist Yek Raj Pathak has been released amidst a programme here Thursday. This is the third work by journalist Pathak on right to information. The writer is the executive editor with the National News Agency (RSS).
Concept of RTI in the world, RTI practices in Nepal, its legal provisions, success stories and obstructions on implementation are major contents of the book. Veteran journalist Prof Dr Ram Krishna Regmi, Chief the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Kantipur City College, released the book amidst a programme organised by the college.
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On the occasion, he said the RTI issues are connected with people's life and there is the need of additional research, discussions and publication on it. He commented that the book would be a very useful reference material for researchers and journalists in the country and abroad.
RSS General Manager Shreeram Singh Basnet said the growth in publication of RTI-related books of late was a quite encouraging move and the enforcement of RTI Act, however, faces challenges no matter it is a developed country or Nepal. Another commentator- Kantipur daily's Editor Hari Bahadur Thapa- said journalists have themselves failed to properly apply the RTI Act. He suggested the government to recruit information officers to those having bachelor's degree in journalism.
Similarly, Annapurna Post daily's Deputy Editor Chudamani Bhattarai said the book was worthy reading as it has shared voluminous information with the readers about the practice of RTI. Writer Pathak said he had tried his best to bring out voices of people through his work.
The writer is also a university teacher of mass communication and journalism, and has already penned two books 'Struggle for Information' and 'Power of Information'. The price of a 216-page book published by the Pairavi Publications is Rs 345.
