Only 7.7pc citizens aware of it: study

Speakers at a convention yesterday urged the government to popularise the Right to Information (RTI) Act, as it can make significant contributions in ensuring good governance and people’s empowerment.

They also called upon people to dispel their misconceptions about the act and try to use it in apt ways whenever they need.

Right to Information Forum, a coalition of institutions and individuals working on implementation of RTI Act -- in association with the World Bank and UK Aid -- organised the event titled “RTI Convention 2019” to mark 10 years of enactment of the act.

The event was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

Speaking at the event, RTI Forum Convener Shaheen Anam said they have a lot of expectations centring the act that remain unfulfilled.

“People don’t use the act due to lack of awareness. They think that the act has no benefits. Such mindset has to be changed,” she said.

People should take active interest in such a useful act, added Shaheen Anam, also executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), a non-government organisation.

Noted educationist Rasheda K Choudhury said the government and relevant bodies -- particularly the Information Commission -- have to play a more assertive role and increase engagement with people to popularise the RTI Act.

“The law will not be implemented properly until people’s empowerment is ensured,” added Rasheda, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).

About the role of government officials designated for RTI, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the officials have to consider providing the information services as a tool of ensuring good governance and people’s empowerment, instead of considering it only as an office duty.

DFID Country Representative Judith Herbertson said the country’s RTI law is recognised as being among the “most progressive” RTI legislations worldwide but it needs to go further.

Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of the daylong programme, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah said access to information is a civic and democratic right of all citizens, and the government is committed to ensure it.

At the convention, the organisers unveiled a study report, titled “Right to Information Survey 2019”, to show the status of RTI implementation in the country.

MJF -- in association with Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), OrgQuest Research Ltd, the World Bank and UK Aid -- conducted the study between January and March this year.

After surveying a total of 12,800 citizens across the country, the study found only 7.7 percent of them are aware of the law. The percentage was 23 in 2012.

It also surveyed 768 government officials in 64 districts, and found about two-third of them did not receive a single application from citizens using RTI Act since they were designated for providing information services.

About lack of awareness on RTI, the study observed that people’s access to information has increased after the use of ICT flourished which might be a cause behind it.

People are now able to get information from government websites and social media platforms, which also make them less interested to use RTI, the study said.

Nevertheless, of the people who used the act -- a total of 359 people -- about two-third received their desired information, mostly in time, it added.

Speaking as chief guest at the closing session, Planning Minister Abdul Mannan thanked the organisations for conducting the survey, saying it will help in implementation of the law.

Mercy Miyang Tembon, country director of World Bank, Bangladesh and Bhutan; and Martuza Ahmed, chief information commissioner, also spoke at the event, among others.