Himalayan Times: Nepal: Wednesday, January 03, 2018.
Lack of
information may prevent citizens from realising their aspirations, because it
leaves them without the basis to participate in any debate, discussion and
question-answer session regarding the decision-making process.
Right to
Information (RTI) is usually used as a synonym for democracy. This is a tool to
strengthen citizens’ sovereignty. Sweden is the first country to enact the
first RTI law in the world in 1766. So far (until the end of 2017), 119
countries in the world have enacted RTI laws. This is also one of the main
components of human rights. Developed countries, particularly the European
countries were the first ones to champion the RTI. While Asian countries have
also practised RTI laws pretty well, Latin American countries are well ahead in
its implementation.
The RTI is
all about making citizens informed. Informed societies mean a lively and
functioning democracy. The RTI empowers people to seek information from the
government and public organizations and ask for government documents and their
copies. Through the RTI, citizens know
about government decisions and the limitations of the country and the
government.
RTI promotes
transparency and accountability. Citizens feel honored when they get to
exercise their right to have access to the source of information. Just as they
exercise their right to information, citizens also know about their right to
privacy. In this process, citizens benefit in two ways they are getting
information through the RTI and protecting their personal information under the
right to privacy.
RTI laws can play
a crucial role in combating corruption.
Similarly,
the RTI also is important in promoting and upholding human rights.
Public
information officers (PIOs) play a crucial role in ensuring effective
implementation of the RTI. Information officers directly support good
governance. The state can enhance its popularity by strengthening the
information dissemination process. It can also increase its acceptance by
introducing effective RTI procedures so as to disseminate required information
in a speedy and convenient way.
While PIOs
should be given facilities, they also should be given a good environment to
perform and connect with the people who seek information. This way PIOs can
deliver maximum level information available with them. A good PIO means how quickly
and accurately s/he can address the citizens’ call for information.
Necessary
information must be provided at the earliest possible after getting request
from the people, because delayed justice will mean injustice to those seeking
information. Delay in providing information may also raise doubt among members
of the public over the government agencies and public organizations.
Mexico and
Serbia are considered the best countries when it comes to delivering
information. In these countries, citizens may get any information from any type
of sources such as email, text message, phone or any social networking sites.
Citizens can even track the progress regarding their RTI request just like in
air parcel tracking system.
Even if
citizens cannot get all the information as per their expectations, they will
feel satisfied that their application is under process and that it is on the
way to concerned agency. For example, if
a person asks “Hello Sarkar” of the Nepal government on the number of people
who have so far climbed Mt Everest, the concerned agency may respond in two
parts.
First, it
will forward the query to the Ministry of Tourism which holds all the
information about Mt Everest with pictures, names of the climbers and royalty
it has collected from the climbers. This may satisfy the person who sought the
information. Secondly, Prime Minister’s Office may ask all data immediately
from the concerned agency and inform the concerned citizen.
One of the
most important aspects of the RTI is citizens must be able to get information
free of cost. Information provided to the concerned citizens must be up to
date. It must be ensured that citizens get information they have asked for in
the most readable way possible.
For example,
it is easier for an RTI applicant to access information if they are provided in
Word or Excel formats rather than in the PDF format. People provided with the
information must be able to use and reuse the data easily.
Lack of
information may prevent citizens from realising their aspirations, because it
leaves them without the basis to participate in any debate, discussions and
question-answer sessions regarding the decision-making process even if the
decisions are detrimental to them. The RTI provisions can increase an
individual’s aspiration to participate in a debate that is directly or
indirectly linked to him or her.
Similarly,
the government and its agencies must have their websites with an exclusive
button which people can click to learn about the RTI and related issues. The
websites must contain all publications, legal documents and quarterly and
annual reports.
Staff must be
trained on RTI and ways to honour people’s right to information. A government
that focuses on effective implementation of RTI earns more trust and faith from
its citizens. Transparency should be the motto of any government and its
agencies, which through RTI can be strengthened, ultimately benefitting all
sections of the society. Right to information plays a vital role in
strengthening participatory democracy.
(Baskota is
chief commissioner, National Information Commission)
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