It’s time our youth used their right to information

The article highlights a critical gap between Bangladesh’s recent political transition and the public’s use of legal tools for accountability, specifically the Right to Information (RTI) Act. While the youth-led movement sought governance reforms, there is a notable lack of awareness regarding how citizens can actively probe government actions. This disconnect suggests that without utilizing existing mechanisms like the RTI, the promised transparency may not materialize, as institutional vacancies and low engagement hinder effective oversight. To illustrate the Act's power, the text details five cases where RTI requests exposed corruption, illegal construction, wage violations, and banking scams. In each instance, the demand for information forced authorities to acknowledge wrongdoing, leading to court-ordered demolitions, policy changes, and the recovery of stolen funds. These examples demonstrate that the RTI is not merely a bureaucratic procedure but a formidable instrument for enforcing accountability and correcting systemic abuses by public officials and private entities operating with government leases. This narrative is vital for open_data because it underscores the necessity of accessible, transparent information as a prerequisite for democratic integrity. The article argues that widespread adoption of RTI practices can drive the structural reforms demanded by the new regime. It implies that unlocking the potential of open data initiatives requires empowering citizens to request and interpret specific government records, thereby transforming passive observation into active civic participation and ensuring that public resources serve the people rather than corrupt interests.

Source: thedailystar.net
Published on 2025-01-16

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