Open Data

Experts demand independent information commission to strengthen democracy

Experts demand independent information commission to strengthen democracy

The article underscores that establishing the Information Commission as an independent constitutional body is vital for strengthening democracy through enhanced transparency and accountability. By granting the commission permanent continuity and autonomy, it can effectively function without political interference, ensuring that all authorities operate openly under the Right to Information Act. This structural reform is presented as a critical mechanism to restore public trust and guarantee good governance, moving away from past practices where political appointments undermined institutional integrity. A primary implication of the current inactivity is the erosion of citizen engagement with freedom of information laws. When the commission remains non-functional, grassroots frustration grows as citizens lack a recourse for appeals, causing designated officials to lose motivation in providing requested data. This stagnation discourages proactive use of the RTI Act, transforming it from a tool for public empowerment into a neglected statute. The silence of the regulatory body creates a vacuum that weakens the social contract, highlighting the urgent need for immediate reconstitution to prevent further disengagement from civic oversight mechanisms. Relevance to open data lies in the argument for extending transparency mandates to political parties and other registered parliamentary bodies. By bringing these entities under the RTI Act’s purview, the framework ensures that significant sources of political power and decision-making are held accountable. This expansion is essential to prevent the repetition of past abuses and ensures that data regarding party activities and governance structures is accessible. Ultimately, broader inclusion supports a more robust open data ecosystem, where accountability is not limited to traditional government agencies but encompasses all institutions influencing public policy and democratic processes.

Source: thedailystar.net
Published on 2025-03-07

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