Success stories can improve our woefully low awareness of RTI
RTI Act is one of our most powerful instruments to hold the government accountable.
The State of RTI in South Asia: The Pakistan Case
Over the last two decades, most of South Asia has adopted right to information (RTI) laws, also known as freedom of information (FOI) or access to information (A2I) laws.
RTI in Bangladesh: Narrowing the perception gap between citizens and public authorities
The Bangladesh Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009 is a unique piece of legislation. Most laws are largely founded on the concept of government responsibility to regulate citizen behaviour, but the RTI law establishes government accountability to its citizens.
Right to Information: What can we learn from Sri Lanka's experience?
Sri Lanka was the last country in South Asia to adopt the Right to Information Act (RTI) in 2017. For many of us who were involved in discussions with our Sri Lankan counterparts before adoption of the law, it is gratifying to note the progress it has made in these two years. There is much that we can learn from their experience and use in Bangladesh.
Making public exams transparent
Competitive examinations are a long-standing and important fact of life for our youth entering public service. But few know that the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2009 can play an effective role to ensure that these exams are transparent and fair.
Learning from the US's experience
There are obvious and big differences between the socio-economic and political conditions of Bangladesh and the US and the extent of their Right to Information (RTI) experiences.
RTI Act 2009: A powerful tool against poverty
Yet the RTI Act is hardly known for being put to use in significant numbers. It has so far worked mainly with the marginalised and disadvantaged communities because of the help of NGOs and activists. The educated and the middle classes are yet to be fired by the powerful reach of the law.
Welcoming the new CIC
Unfortunately, citizens are yet to rise to the occasion and play a meaningful role to take the law forward. Demands for information are yet to pour into government offices in large numbers to test the system.
November 15, 2022
Success stories can improve our woefully low awareness of RTI
RTI Act is one of our most powerful instruments to hold the government accountable.
July 14, 2022
The State of RTI in South Asia: The Pakistan Case
Over the last two decades, most of South Asia has adopted right to information (RTI) laws, also known as freedom of information (FOI) or access to information (A2I) laws.
May 12, 2021
RTI in Bangladesh: Narrowing the perception gap between citizens and public authorities
The Bangladesh Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009 is a unique piece of legislation. Most laws are largely founded on the concept of government responsibility to regulate citizen behaviour, but the RTI law establishes government accountability to its citizens.
April 14, 2019
Right to Information: What can we learn from Sri Lanka's experience?
Sri Lanka was the last country in South Asia to adopt the Right to Information Act (RTI) in 2017. For many of us who were involved in discussions with our Sri Lankan counterparts before adoption of the law, it is gratifying to note the progress it has made in these two years. There is much that we can learn from their experience and use in Bangladesh.
January 15, 2018
Making public exams transparent
Competitive examinations are a long-standing and important fact of life for our youth entering public service. But few know that the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2009 can play an effective role to ensure that these exams are transparent and fair.
June 15, 2017
Learning from the US's experience
There are obvious and big differences between the socio-economic and political conditions of Bangladesh and the US and the extent of their Right to Information (RTI) experiences.
June 15, 2016
RTI Act 2009: A powerful tool against poverty
Yet the RTI Act is hardly known for being put to use in significant numbers. It has so far worked mainly with the marginalised and disadvantaged communities because of the help of NGOs and activists. The educated and the middle classes are yet to be fired by the powerful reach of the law.
February 15, 2016
Welcoming the new CIC
Unfortunately, citizens are yet to rise to the occasion and play a meaningful role to take the law forward. Demands for information are yet to pour into government offices in large numbers to test the system.
January 15, 2016
Right to Information - A catalyst for change
The Bangladesh RTI Act is similarly geared towards changing the culture of secretive governance inherited from colonial times. The goal is to replace it with more open, responsive, law-based and citizen-friendly rule.
November 16, 2015
Changing Contours of RTI, Part II
It would be unfair to compare the Bangladesh situation with the Indian experience (refer to Part I of this column published yesterday).
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