- World
- Sep 28
What is meant by universal access to information?
• The United Nations observes the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on September 28.
What is the significance of this theme?
• In a digital world overflowing with information, misinformation and disinformation, access alone is not enough. People also need timely, reliable information.
• Timely and credible public information can strengthen trust, support informed decisions and help people participate meaningfully in society.
• The day explores how access to reliable official information, proactive disclosure, media and information literacy, credible data and digital technologies can contribute to a healthier information environment.
Universal access to information
• Informed citizens can make informed decisions, for instance, when going to the polls.
• Only when citizens know how they are governed, can they hold their governments accountable for their decisions and actions.
• Information is power. Therefore, universal access to information is a cornerstone of healthy and inclusive knowledge societies.
• Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information.
• This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression.
• The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about issues of interest, but it relies on the ability to seek and receive information, too.
• Hence, the right to universal access to information is also bound up with the right to freedom of the press.
The right to information
• The right to public information is a component of the fundamental right of freedom of expression as set forth by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and the subsequent International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966).
• The right to information is an umbrella term that refers to the legal right to access information held by public institutions.
• It is often used in the same way as terms such as freedom of information.
• The implementation of the right to information, refers to efforts to give practical effect to the provisions of the law, policy or regulation.
• Implementation is important to ensure that the benefits of the law, policy or regulation are realised.
What is the RTI Act in India?
• The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 is widely seen as one of India’s most powerful democratic reforms.
• The Constitution of India has enshrined the principles of democracy, by guaranteeing to its citizens certain Fundamental Rights.
• Article 19(1)(a) and Article 21 of the Constitution of India, by implication, guarantee to the citizens of India the right to know everything done by public functionaries.
• To set out a practical regime for securing information by citizens from the public authorities and to promote transparency and accountability in the working of all public authorities, the Parliament enacted the Right to Information Act in 2005.
• The Act is comprehensive and covers disclosure of information by public authorities on matters of governance.
• It is applicable to government at all levels — Union, state and local and also to the bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed directly or indirectly by the government.
• It covers legislative bodies, the judiciary, the executive and Constitutional bodies.
• The Act casts an obligation on public authorities for suo-motu disclosure/publication of information held by them.
• It also requires the public authorities to supply information called for by any citizen and to permit him to inspect the documents and collect samples of various works.
• It can be made in Hindi or English or in the official language of the area in which the application is made.
• The Act creates the machinery to ensure supply of information, which consists of Public Information Officers, Assistant Public Information Officers, Departmental Appellate Authorities, independent Central and State Information Commissions, etc.
• The Act requires information to be provided in a time bound manner.
• A Public Information Officer is required to send information called for at the specified address within 30 days.
• In case the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, it has to be provided within 48 hours.
• The Act provides for imposition of a stringent penalty on the Public Information Officer, if the information is not provided within the prescribed period.
• Certain types of information pertaining to security of the country, scientific or economic interest of the country and information on trade secrets, etc are exempted from disclosure.
• Certain security or intelligence organisations have been exempted from disclosing any information except that pertaining to allegation of corruption or violation of human rights.
• Such organisations are required to designate Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities to deal with applications and appeals relating to information pertaining to corruption or violation of human rights.