Short Essay On Right To Information

1438 Words6 Pages

RTI laws empower citizens to make public officials and elected representatives accountable. In this sense, these laws are game changers as citizens can take part in the democratic processes and can ensure transparent functioning of public bodies leading to the judicious utilization of precious public funds. In the absence of these laws, citizen can only take part in the democratic process at the time of elections. Freedom of Information (FOI) / Access to Information as now increasingly referred to as Right to Information is an integral part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression, as recognized by Resolution 59 of the UN General Assembly adopted in 1946 , as well as by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) …show more content…

It is a right of a citizen to get the information of any kind of function and its details of any public body or funded by government. The public money is actually Tax money and a tax payer can ask any question about the use of his/her money. The governments suppose to protect the right to information through strong and effective legislation and appoint an independent oversight body with financial autonomy. The citizens should be conscious for their right to information because it secures the society. It gives power to a common man to ask question with the political leaders and the bureaucracy.
A strong and effective RTI Law must covers:
1. A conjecture of openness. Individuals have the right to seek information without giving reasons for their requests, but governments should give reasons for withholding information. The section for exemption and classified information shall be clear and no vague wordings.
2. A defined and limited series of exceptions. Some information should not be in the public domain if it is not in the public interest. Such exceptions should be specifically defined in

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