Strengthening access to Information critical in building trust between citizens & public institutions

by Manoranjan Panda

ON the occasion of International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), all information seekers must join hands to empower individuals, enable informed decision-making, foster innovation, and promote inclusivity and social progress. Strengthening access to information paradigm is critical in building trust between citizens and public institutions. All stakeholders including citizens, law makers, intellectuals, civil society members, etc. must participate in discussions on policy access to information in the digital era.

India will celebrate Right to Information (RTI) Day on October 12, marking the 19 years of its journey.

Access to information is a fundamental right. Information commission’s role to be strengthened in light of evolving and emerging challenges pertaining to disinformation. While public access to information as a foundation for transparency, accountability, and public participation, the weak information commissions affects cohesion and governance at large. The culture of secrecy prevents citizens from understanding the actions of their elected representatives and remaining aware of their rights. Institutional strengthening is required to ensure effective implementation of RTI in the country.

After almost 19 years of implementation of RTI Act in India, there is a need for comprehensive studies on digital information consumption and its impact on governance including misuse of information and the trust gap between the masses and government institutions.

One of the biggest achievements of information access law is the time limitation that ensures effective public engagement with the government. While inordinate delays can render data irrelevant, the need for timely supply of information to seekers should be stressed by PIOs.

RTI can help eliminate systemic injustices perpetuating various inequalities in the country. The government establishments should initiate trust-building exercises through accountability. Mere a report card won’t suffice the idea of promoting accountability of the government.

For empowering marganlized communities, RTI laws have helped the transgender community eliminate misinformation and counter negative social media campaigns. The law also played a vital role for differently-abled persons by recognizing their constitutional rights. Somehow, the law has eliminated the gap between the people and government institutions, allowing everyone to access information without fear.

More and more public engagement in RTI is the need of the hour. At the same time, regular training programs should be conducted for public officials on RTI compliance and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights under RTI laws.

Recognizing the significance of access to information, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) at the UN level in October 2019. The day had been proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information.