I am writing to inform you that government has enacted the Right to Information Act (RTI Act) 2009 for ensuring people’s access to information, transparency and accountability. According to the act, the government and other institutions using public and donors funds will have to provide people with necessary information within 20 days of applying for it. If any official refuses to provide information, anybody can file appeals with the information commission. Utilization of RTI law as a development tool can make sure that people know all information about the development projects. They should know about the funds and how the money is being spent during project implementation.
Alauddin
Congratulations to Bangladesh over this democratic milestone. Unlike India and Bangladesh, we call RTI as FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) in Pakistan. Ours was the first country in South Asia to introduce a freedom of information bill back in 2002. Unfortunately, we have not been able to successfully utilize the vast opportunities offered by the law to access information.
One major reason for our failure is lack of awareness among the masses and even journalists about the very existence of such a a law. They do not know how to benefit from it. Very few people know how to apply for the required information and what to do in the wake of non-compliance by the concerned officials.
Secondly, the FOIA is obstructed by an existing archaic law called Official Secrets Act, 1923. Under this law, the officials refrain from sharing even ordinary information with the applicants saying that disclosure of information may culminate in jeopardizing so-called “national secretes”.
Ironically, Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan supports the freedom of information but we do not have any kind of constitutional provisions advocating the freedom of information. Therefore, we are currently struggling in Pakistan on the platform of journalists’ bodies to induct the freedom of information as a constitutionally guaranteed right.
You can check this link:
http://thebalochhal.com/2010/05/bifd-ned-workshop-calls-for-full-implementation-of-foia/
Nonetheless, I sincerely hope RTI will work successfully in Bangladesh and lead to the freedom of the press and a strong democratic system.
Thanks friend for your sharing.
peoples conciousness and rasing voice against injustice can make change. Journalists can play an active role in this regardes.
Alauddin