The Daily Star: Bangladesh: Wednesday, 29 September 2021.
The government must make it easier for the public to access information and hold institutions accountable, said speakers at an event.
Shujan (Shushanor Jonno Nagorik) and The Hunger Project jointly organised a human chain yesterday, demanding easier access to information from the government.
The demonstration was held in front of the National Museum at the capital's Shahbagh to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
The demands made at the demonstration include shortening the time required to provide information which currently has a time limit of 30 days from the date of filing of a request and more awareness campaigns to enlighten the general public about their right to access information from the government.
"The government must broadcast the fact that this right ensures transparency and accountability from public and private organisations," they said.
To that effect, they also suggested incorporating the concept of this right in school and college curricula.
The organisers also demanded that journalists, social scientists and legal experts be incorporated into the Information Commission, which is currently comprised of bureaucrats.
Online services too must be initiated to make it easier for the general public to request information, they said.
Among others, the demonstration was attended by Shujan founder secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar.
Dr Majumdar said that the success of the Right to Information Act depends on the general public's willingness to exercise it, and said focusing on that is necessary.
The government must make it easier for the public to access information and hold institutions accountable, said speakers at an event.
Shujan (Shushanor Jonno Nagorik) and The Hunger Project jointly organised a human chain yesterday, demanding easier access to information from the government.
The demonstration was held in front of the National Museum at the capital's Shahbagh to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
The demands made at the demonstration include shortening the time required to provide information which currently has a time limit of 30 days from the date of filing of a request and more awareness campaigns to enlighten the general public about their right to access information from the government.
"The government must broadcast the fact that this right ensures transparency and accountability from public and private organisations," they said.
To that effect, they also suggested incorporating the concept of this right in school and college curricula.
The organisers also demanded that journalists, social scientists and legal experts be incorporated into the Information Commission, which is currently comprised of bureaucrats.
Online services too must be initiated to make it easier for the general public to request information, they said.
Among others, the demonstration was attended by Shujan founder secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar.
Dr Majumdar said that the success of the Right to Information Act depends on the general public's willingness to exercise it, and said focusing on that is necessary.
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