Sign In
Learn bits
World Affairs
Mahesh

27/10/22 21:51 PM IST

New Zealand’s Plain Language Bill

In News 
  • New Zealand passed the Plain Language Act recently, which will require the country’s officials to use simple, easily understood English language in official documents and on websites.
About the Act 
  • It aims to improve the efficiency and accountability of public services by making communications clear, inclusive and easily accessible for the general public.
  • According to the bill, plain language is a language that enables the target audience to understand after reading once.
  • The Act defines plain language to be clear, concise and well-organized.
Features of the bill 
  • The law mainly seeks to benefit those who speak English as their second language, those with disabilities and less educated.
  • Its aim is to make New Zealand a more inclusive democracy by removing jargon and complex language from the country’s bureaucracy.
  • The Act mandates the appointment of plain language officers and creation of plain language guidance by the Public Service Commissioner.
  • It also requires the forming a reporting framework to assess the compliance by the government officials.
  • Under this Act, a public service agency must report its compliance to the plain language usage each year to the Public Service Commissioner. The Commissioner, in turn, must report the compliance of the agencies to the Minister of Public Service, who will then table a copy of the report to the New Zealand Parliament within 20 business days upon receiving it.
Source- The Hindu 

More Related Current Affairs View All

22 Aug

Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education (USAME) Bill, 2025

'The Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday passed the Minority Education Bill, 2025, extending minority status benefits to institutions run by the Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and

Read More

22 Aug

India needs a national space law urgently

'A nation with a strong base in science and technology is a nation with a strong backbone” — these words of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam ring truer than before as India celebrate

Read More

22 Aug

Organ transplantation

'The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) recently issued a direction stating that women patients and relatives of deceased donors will receive priority in org

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps