RTI can help our new government fulfil its election pledges

The article argues that the new Bangladeshi government’s pledge for accountable and corruption-free governance can only be realized through active citizen engagement, specifically leveraging the Right to Information Act. Accountability serves as the cornerstone of democracy, requiring a legal framework that not only mandates transparency but also empowers citizens to monitor state actions. The RTI Act provides this essential mechanism, shifting the burden of proof from the government to the citizens by granting them the legal right to access public records. Two distinct disclosure mechanisms are identified as critical for effective oversight: proactive and reactive disclosure. While proactive measures require authorities to publish essential data, such as budgets and policies, they are insufficient for ensuring deep accountability. Reactive disclosure, which allows individuals to request specific information, is vital for uncovering hidden irregularities. The authors emphasize that relying solely on mandatory public disclosures is inadequate, as it fails to address complex operational failures or corruption that only targeted inquiries can reveal. This perspective is highly relevant to open data because it illustrates the limitations of passive data availability. Simply publishing government data does not guarantee transparency or accountability if citizens lack the legal means to request specific, non-standardized information. True open governance requires a symbiotic relationship where proactive data releases are supplemented by robust reactive request processes, enabling civil society to act as a watchdog and ensure the government honors its commitments.

Source: thedailystar.net
Published on 2024-01-16

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