Impact of Right to Information Act on Transparency and Accountability: Challenges and the Way Forward
RTI as an Instrument of
change from Culture of
Secrecy to Transparency:
Challenges, Threats and the
Ways Ahead
Authors
Amaresh Jha
Ph. D. Research Scholar,
Amity School of Communication, Amity University,
Uttar Pradesh
&
Dr. Aman Vats
Associate Professor,
Amity School of Communication, Amity University,
Uttar Pradesh
Right to Information Act, 2005
INTRODUCTION
•
The Right to Information is an internationally protected right.
•
RTI is protected by Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
•
The Right to Information campaign in India began in the early
1990s.
•
The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan started in rural area of
Rajastan. (Hum Janenge, Hum Jiyenge)
•
The main aim of the RTI Act is to set a practical regime for
citizens to secure access to information
Core objectives of the Right to
Information Act, 2005
•
Setting out the practical regime of right to
information for citizens
•
Promoting transparency and accountability in
the working of the government
•
Eradication of any type of corruption in the
working of public authority
•
Maintaining all the documents held by public
authority taking self initiatives
1. To what extent RTI has led to transparency and
accountability?
2. In what ways RTI has affected decision making?
3. Has RTI been instrumental in public participation in
governance?
4. Has RTI led to lack of proactive thinking in
bureaucracy?
5. What are the infrastructural challenges in meeting the
objectives of RTI?
Objective of the Study
Knowledge Gap
•
With the review of literature researchers has identified
–
An urgent
need to take stock of different aspects of effectiveness
of
the RTI Act.
–
Enable quick corrective actions or interventions
– by the
Government, by the Commissions themselves and by the civil society
groups.
–
Know
who or which sections of people are taking advantages of the
RTI Act.
–
Identify whether
media advocacy has played any role in making a
difference as far as reach and usage
of the RTI Act is concerned.
–
Whether there has been
any change in the mindset of people
responsible for the implementation
of the RTI Act.
Theoretical framework
•
To make an
assessment of the shift from a culture of Secrecy
;
Resource Dependence and Institutional theories were used as
theoretical framework.
•
Stakeholder analysis
is best suited
for scanning the
organization's external environment in order to identify
opportunities and threats
as well as to improve the exercise of
the organization's value judgment.
•
The external environment of an organization defines the
critical elements of its competitive strategy.
•
This study therefore
measure as to what extent the RTI Act
has met its core objectives of transparency, accountability,
public participation and better decision making
.
Finding1. RTI has led to transparency and accountability?
Data and Measures
Finding2.
RTI has affected decision making?
Data and Measures
Finding 3
Has RTI been instrumental in public participation?
Data and Measures
Finding 4
Has RTI Act led to lack of proactive thinking in the
governance?
Data and Measures
Finding 5
Lack of manpower/infrastructure obstacle in
implementation of the Act?
Data and Measures
CONCLUSION
•
The findings of this study have clear reflection that
RTI has
met its core objective of transparency and accountability
,
but it has yet to do lot on improving the infrastructure
•
Participation as a tool of empowerment is well established
,
however, the study demonstrates that
public participation
has not reached the desired levels
despite the RTI
•
The RTI Act has increased the trust in government and there is
a
feeling that transparency and accountability in governance
has increased
.
•
There is a clear shift from
culture of secrecy to culture of
transparency
and RTI Act has proved very instrumental in
bringing this change
RECOMMENDATIONS
•
The achievements of the RTI Act need to be
publicized because this will
increase a sense of
containment among citizens .
•
RTI Act has proved to be the
most crucial instrument
in empowering people with a right to compel
the
public authorities to disclose the information held
with them.
•
Mass awareness campaign at central and state
level is needed to achieve the goal of more and
more participation of citizens in governance.
Thank You
The Right to Information Act is a crucial tool in transforming the culture of secrecy to transparency. It aims to promote accountability, eradicate corruption, and empower citizens. However, the implementation of RTI faces challenges such as lack of proactive thinking in bureaucracy and infrastructural constraints. The study delves into the extent of RTI's influence on decision-making, public participation, and more, highlighting the need to address knowledge gaps for effective outcomes.
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Presentation Transcript
RTI as an Instrument of RTI as an Instrument of change from Culture of change from Culture of Secrecy to Transparency: Secrecy to Transparency: Challenges, Threats and the Challenges, Threats and the Ways Ahead Ways Ahead
Authors Amaresh Jha Ph. D. Research Scholar, Amity School of Communication, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh & Dr. Aman Vats Associate Professor, Amity School of Communication, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh
Right to Information Act, 2005 INTRODUCTION The Right to Information is an internationally protected right. RTI is protected by Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights The Right to Information campaign in India began in the early 1990s. The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan started in rural area of Rajastan. (Hum Janenge, Hum Jiyenge) The main aim of the RTI Act is to set a practical regime for citizens to secure access to information
Core objectives of the Right to Information Act, 2005 Setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens Promoting transparency and accountability in the working of the government Eradication of any type of corruption in the working of public authority Maintaining all the documents held by public authority taking self initiatives
Objective of the Study 1. To what extent RTI has led to transparency and accountability? 2. In what ways RTI has affected decision making? 3. Has RTI been instrumental in public participation in governance? 4. Has RTI led to lack of proactive thinking in bureaucracy? 5. What are the infrastructural challenges in meeting the objectives of RTI?
Knowledge Gap With the review of literature researchers has identified An urgent need to take stock of different aspects of effectiveness of the RTI Act. Enable quick corrective actions or interventions by the Government, by the Commissions themselves and by the civil society groups. Know who or which sections of people are taking advantages of the RTI Act. Identify whether media advocacy has played any role in making a difference as far as reach and usage of the RTI Act is concerned. Whether there has been any change in the mindset of people responsible for the implementation of the RTI Act.
Theoretical framework To make an assessment of the shift from a culture of Secrecy; Resource Dependence and Institutional theories were used as theoretical framework. Stakeholder analysis is best suited for scanning the organization's external environment in order to identify opportunities and threats as well as to improve the exercise of the organization's value judgment. The external environment of an organization defines the critical elements of its competitive strategy. This study therefore measure as to what extent the RTI Act has met its core objectives of transparency, accountability, public participation and better decision making.
Data and Measures Finding1. RTI has led to transparency and accountability?
Data and Measures Finding2. RTI has affected decision making?
Data and Measures Finding 3 Has RTI been instrumental in public participation?
Data and Measures Finding 4 Has RTI Act led to lack of proactive thinking in the governance?
Data and Measures Finding 5 Lack of manpower/infrastructure obstacle in implementation of the Act?
CONCLUSION The findings of this study have clear reflection that RTI has met its core objective of transparency and accountability, but it has yet to do lot on improving the infrastructure Participation as a tool of empowerment is well established, however, the study demonstrates that public participation has not reached the desired levels despite the RTI The RTI Act has increased the trust in government and there is a feeling that transparency and accountability in governance has increased. There is a clear shift from culture of secrecy to culture of transparency and RTI Act has proved very instrumental in bringing this change
RECOMMENDATIONS The achievements of the RTI Act need to be publicized because this will increase a sense of containment among citizens . RTI Act has proved to be the most crucial instrument in empowering people with a right to compel the public authorities to disclose the information held with them. Mass awareness campaign at central and state level is needed to achieve the goal of more and more participation of citizens in governance.
