The Conservative government will increase the number of briefings it offers reporters on the Afghan mission in an attempt to be more open about what is happening there, International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda promised Wednesday.

She acknowledged the new plan is a direct response to criticism by the independent panel on Afghanistan, headed by former Liberal minister John Manley. It said the government has been too close-mouthed in its communications strategy and that this has not helped public understanding of the mission or of the many complex issues surrounding it.

"We want to provide greater insight into the full scope of Canada's role in Afghanistan," Oda said. "Our goal is to better inform Canadians about Canada's activities on the ground," she said, referring to the good news stories about Canada's success there.

But when asked why the government had such a hard time communicating its good news stories, Oda shifted the blame to the media, suggesting reporters were at fault. "With respect, maybe I should ask you that question."

That prompted a handful of reporters to speak up and complain about the way they have been treated by the government when trying to find out more about the Afghan mission.

One reporter for the weekly Embassy Magazine said he'd been trying to set up an interview with Oda for a week and a half, and had not even heard back from the minister's office.

Oda said she would try and do a better job.