Right to information takes centre stage in Indian elections
The Indian Supreme Court's recent decision on electoral bonds underline the importance of citizens' role in exercising their right to information as watchdogs of good governance.
2d ago
Arrest and imprisonment of journalist over RTI request is ominous
The eruption of hostility surrounding the submission of a simple RTI request to a public official was uncalled for
1m ago
There is so much more to the RTI Act
Clearly, most citizens are unaware of the tremendous bounties the RTI Act has to offer
2m ago
Reassuring stories of progress
The RTI law has been kept alive over the years largely through the efforts of a few dedicated NGOs and die-hard RTI activists.
3m ago
RTI can help our new government fulfil its election pledges
The Right to Information Act, 2009 specifies a mechanism for citizens to access all information—with few exceptions—available to the government and many other public authorities.
4m ago
Our Information Commission has mettle after all
In the last few months, we have received some very encouraging feedback from users of the RTI law about the Information Commission's work.
5m ago
RTI unearths discrimination against female students
Bangladesh’s High Court has asked the authorities of a public university to allow pregnant and married female students to remain in the dormitories for the time being
6m ago
How right to information helped Sri Lanka manage its crisis
Through the RTI Commission of Sri Lanka, citizens could weight in on matters impacting the nation.
7m ago
September 15, 2021
More citizens are exercising their right to information. We must keep it up.
he International Right to Know Day will be commemorated on September 28. By adopting Right to Information (RTI) or Freedom of Information (FOI) laws, governments recognise their citizens’ power to demand transparency and accountability about their work. Bangladesh enacted the Right to Information Act in 2009. How did that law fare last year?
August 14, 2021
How RTI regimes are faring in South Asia
The Covid-19 pandemic will be remembered for the colossal chaos it caused to governments as they grappled—and continue to do—with its catastrophic onslaught affecting lives and livelihoods across the globe.
July 15, 2021
Only ‘We, the People’ can unleash the full potential of RTI law
Bangladesh has long been known for the political activism of its citizens, ready to fight for their rights and defend their freedom.
June 15, 2021
Finding a balance between official secrecy and citizens’ right to information
“We see all governments as obscure and invisible,” said Sir Francis Bacon, English philosopher and statesman, in 1605.
April 16, 2021
Revisiting the role of RTI for sustainable development
We must not forget that we cannot bring good fortune for the people if our characters do not change! By rising above nepotism, corruption and self-deception, all of us have to be engaged in self-criticism, self-restraint, and self-purification.”
March 15, 2021
RTI: All three branches of government fall within its ambit
The deleterious impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the operations of the Right to Information (RTI) Act has been much discussed in the last one year. We drew attention to it in several of our columns.
February 15, 2021
The widening range of RTI use in Bangladesh
Jamaluddin of Dinajpur had learnt at a training session that the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009 of Bangladesh was enacted to provide a legal basis for citizens to exercise their rights as “owners of all powers of the Republic”.
January 15, 2021
How citizen engagement with RTI law is transforming lives
During the construction work of a regional highway in Dinajpur, local inhabitants were increasingly bothered by the dust it generated.
December 15, 2020
A clarion call for civil society to make the RTI Act a success
Most countries of the world have moved in the past 50 years from the age-old practice of government secrecy towards making their work largely accessible by the public through Right to Information (RTI) or Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation.
November 15, 2020
RTI in Bangladesh
Reva Rani of Taraganj Upazila of Rangpur District was determined to bring electricity to her home. But, all her efforts, including payment of “speed money”, failed.
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