Documentary on Information as Right: use of RTI Act by civil rights activists.
Documentary on Information as Right: use of RTI Act by civil rights activists.
International Right to Know Day must generate serious reflections by all sides
The Daily Star, September 16, 2020
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
September is an important month for Right to Information (RTI) buffs all over the world. They undertake various activities during the month to commemorate the International Right to Know Day on September 28 with two key focus points. One, to remind citizens that the RTI Act provides them with a legal basis to find out if their government is managing the affairs of the state effectively, efficiently and honestly. And two, to remind governments that they have a duty of transparency and accountability towards their citizens, who are entitled to access nearly all information available within public offices. Read More.
Trust lost between governments and citizens during Covid-19 pandemic?
Daily Star, August 17, 2020
RTI/FOI can help to retrieve it
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
The relationship between governments and the people has been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in many countries. Except in a few countries, people found it difficult to believe the government’s information. They saw vast discrepancies between the reality and what they were told. Governments did not trust their citizens to “do the right thing”, and imposed measures rather than seeking cooperation. Ultimately, this lack of mutual trust made efforts to contain the virus more difficult. Read More.
Transparency and accountability of government actions during Covid 19 pandemic
Daily Star, June 15, 2020
Transparency and accountability of government actions during Covid 19 pandemic
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
The Covid-19 pandemic will be recorded as one of the most consequential events in human history. A small part of that history will relate to how governments interacted with their populations in responding to the crisis. Read More.
