...of Bangladesh as one of the fundamental rights and right to information is an inalienable part of freedom of thought, conscience and speech; and whereas all powers of the Republic belong to the people, and it is necessary to ensure right to information for the empowerment of the people; and Whereas if the right to information of the people is ensured, the transparency and accountability of all public, autonomous and statutory organizations and of other private institutions constituted or run by government or foreign financing shall increase, corruption of the same shall decrease and good governance of the same shall be established. Right to Information Act In today’s world, freedom of information is the pre-requisite of sustainable development due to its driving power. Free flow of information and its consumption boosts a country’s progress and prosperity. Effectiveness of democracy and security of human rights vastly depends on freedom of expression and information, in other word, freedom of the press. Understanding the essence many countries- from developed to developing- now open the shutters and nod the people’s right to the access of information resources. In recent years, a number of nations enacted the freedom of information law including neighboring India in 2005, Pakistan in 2002, and Nepal in 2007. After the restoration of democracy in 1990, gradually a demand of giving the people the right or access to information emerged and subsequently a massive discussion...
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...Executive Summary: Right to information refers to people’s right to have all the necessary information regarding the political, legal and similar areas which is directly correlated to their daily lives. In Bangladesh, though people have very limited or no information at all due to lack of willingness and ability to obtain the necessary information’s. Thus the general people should look forward how this bridge can be closed between themselves and the government officials to obtain the necessary and rightful information. The technology is advancing day by day throughout the world. Thus obtaining information has become much easier and flexible. Not only the general people but it is also the responsibility of those who are the holders of that information. They are also equally responsible for passing those to the general people with full efficiency and accuracy. Sadly due to the negligence of both parties this information flow is reduced compared to the early days since the nation’s independence in 1971. Lots of problem is faced by the nation’s citizens specially the people who belong to the rural areas. Due to unaware of their own right, thousands of people had faced difficulties on both professional and personal context. Our focus is on the factors of this decreased information flow as well as the initiatives to be taken which can reduce this massive problem in our country. Contents: • Introduction • Theoretical Overview • Findings ...
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...Contribution of RTI Act 2005 in last 8 years of Indian Democracy PRIT DAYAL dayal.priti5@gmail.com Contribution of RTI Act 2005 in last 8 years of Indian Democracy In today’s era of power of knowledge, acquisition of knowledge, new information and its application hold the key of intense impact on overall productivity gains. Almost every society has made endeavors for democratizing knowledge resources by way of putting in place the mechanisms for free flow of information and ideas so that people can access them without asking for it. People are thus empowered to make proper choices for participation in development process. Every individual or section of society requires wide range of information to be able to effectively function in the knowledge and technology driven economy. Until 2005, an ordinary citizen has no access to information held by public authority. Under the Official Secret Act, 1923, the entire development process has thus been shrouded in secrecy. It was not easy to seek information which affected the citizens, and in lack of such knowledge it was not possible for a common man to participate in meaningful debate on political and economic options available to him. The freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed under the constitution of India. Even then the citizens had no legal right to know about the details of public policies which disables them to scrutinize and rectify the deficiencies in policy planning and the execution program. Thus the...
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...for Information Your address [Insert date] The Central / State Public Information Officer Name of the relevant public authority Address (You can submit this request to the Manager(Customer care centre) of a designated post-office-in respect of Central Government departments having no offices in your place of stay.)* Request under the Right to Information Act Dear Public Information Officer : Under the Right to Information Act 2005,Section 6, please provide me the following information (here, clearly describe the information you require and the period to which it relates.). I prefer to receive the information in the form:(Xerox copy / printout / diskette / floppy / tape / video cassette / certified copies of documents or records/certified samples of material/ I would like to take notes or extracts) by post/ email/in person. OR I would like to inspect the following works/documents/records.(clearly describe what you want to inspect ) . Please inform me a suitable date and time for my visit. Initial request fee under s6(1): Rs.______paid in cash/cheque/banker’s draft/Indian Postal Order/treasury challan ( give details ). OR I am a person below poverty line. (attach a photocopy of the proof ).I need not pay fees. (optional) I am sensorily disabled. Kindly provide me appropriate assistance to enable access to the information ( reading...
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...The Right to Information Act 2005 (RTI) is an Act of the Parliament of India "to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens." The Act applies to all States and Union Territories of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has its own act called Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009. Under the provisions of the Act, any citizen may request information from a "public authority" (a body of Government or "instrumentality of State") which is required to reply expeditiously or within thirty days. The Act also requires every public authority to computerize their records for wide dissemination and to pro-actively publish certain categories of information so that the citizens need minimum recourse to request for information formally. This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came fully into force on 13 October 2005.[1] Information disclosure in India was hitherto restricted by the Official Secrets Act and various other special laws, which the new RTI Act now relaxes. The formal recognition of a legal right to information in India occurred more than two decades before legislation was finally enacted, when the Supreme Court of India ruled in State of U.P. v. Raj Narain that the right to information is implicit in the right to freedom of speech and expression explicitly guaranteed in Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.[2]) (source Wikipedia) Well, this is what Wikipedia has to summarize about RTI and...
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...The Value of Digital Privacy in the IT Age The Value of Digital Privacy in the IT Age Digital Privacy in the IT age is almost extinct. The World Wide Web houses information about anything and everyone. People use the digital technology everyday with the impression that what they are doing is protected from others, unless they chose. While few consumers are fully aware of how their data is being used and even fewer are capable of actively managing it, most individuals expect their digital identity to be treated responsibly and openly: 79%, for example, said companies should be more transparent about use of personal data. There are systems and technologies that people use to gain access to a person’s information. The information obtained can be an advantage or disadvantage. The government has implemented laws for years to try to establish some controls There are many technologies that will allow an individual to research citizens, but the three that will be discussed are Facebook, Intellus, and Google. Facebook is a web based social app use to contact friends. A person can either download for free or buy “apps” for a small amount of money. Apps are games, quizzes and sharing services. These “apps” are consists a host of personal information which includes emails, current locations, sexual preferences of “app” users and their friends. Intelius allows people to access personal records by name, social security number or phone number. People use this system to find family or do...
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...About Right to Information When does it come into force? Who is covered? What does information mean? What does Right to Information mean? 1. When does it come into force? It comes into force on the 12th October, 2005 (120th day of its enactment on 15th June, 2005). Some provisions have come into force with immediate effect viz. obligations of public authorities [S.4(1)], designation of Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers[S.5(1) and 5(2)], constitution of Central Information Commission (S.12 and 13), constitution of State Information Commission (S.15 and 16), non-applicability of the Act to Intelligence and Security Organizations (S.24) and power to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act (S.27 and 28). 2. Who is covered? The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. [S.(12)] 3. What does information mean? Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force but does not include "file notings". [S.2(f)]. 4. What does Right to Information mean? It includes the right to - i. inspect works, documents, records. ii. take notes...
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...for Information Your address [Insert date] The Central / State Public Information Officer Name of the relevant public authority Address (You can submit this request to the Manager(Customer care centre) of a designated post-office-in respect of Central Government departments having no offices in your place of stay.)* Request under the Right to Information Act Dear Public Information Officer : Under the Right to Information Act 2005,Section 6, please provide me the following information (here, clearly describe the information you require and the period to which it relates.). I prefer to receive the information in the form:(Xerox copy / printout / diskette / floppy / tape / video cassette / certified copies of documents or records/certified samples of material/ I would like to take notes or extracts) by post/ email/in person. OR I would like to inspect the following works/documents/records.(clearly describe what you want to inspect ) . Please inform me a suitable date and time for my visit. Initial request fee under s6(1): Rs.______paid in cash/cheque/banker’s draft/Indian Postal Order/treasury challan ( give details ). OR I am a person below poverty line. (attach a photocopy of the proof ).I need not pay fees. (optional) I am sensorily disabled. Kindly provide me appropriate assistance to enable access to the information ( reading...
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...INTRODUCTION Background Information is power and the spirit of democracy. The right to information is considered as a fundamental human right. Right to Information is also known as the freedom of information or the right to know. In a modern democracy, good governance is essential. Among the chief characteristics of good governance are transparency and accountability, elements that can be best ensured only when information is available abundantly and as speedily as possible. Right to information (RTI) empowers public for questioning government agencies about the process, status and result of different activities thereof. The quest of procedural and financial transparency by applying right to information is quite essential, that helps in paving the way for public to participate indecision-making process and governance system. Right to Information is one of the lately recognized rights, generally information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, proceedings, decisions. This is one of the importance right held in public agencies. This term also includes the right to study or observe any written documents, materials held in public agencies or proceedings of such public agencies, to obtain a verified copies of such written documents, to visit or observe the places where any construction of public importance is going on and to obtain...
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...Information Technology at a Glance Chasidy K. Cummings BIS220 August 29, 2012 Charles Waller Information Technology at a Glance The electronic fund transfer act was voted in by congress in 1978. The act was signed by the then president Jimmy Carter. The purpose of the act was to establish the rights accorded to consumers and the liabilities they face in conducting electronic transactions ("Electronic fund transfer," 2011). The act also set out to outline the responsibilities of all those who participated in activities involving the transfer of electronic funds. The main function of the electronic fund transfer act is the clarification of the rights and liabilities of consumers. The act was necessitated because the consumer protection legislation of the time was not clear enough. In light of recent technological advancements legislation needed to be modified to include new mediums of transaction, namely electronic fund transfers. Although the act gives consideration to those who participate in the transfer of electronic funds its primary focus remains the protection of individual consumers (Emerson, 2009). The act eliminates the need for most transactions that originate through paper instruments. Examples of such instruments include a check or a draft. The focal point of focus is electronic transactions. Electronic transactions in the act include an electronic terminal, a telephonic device, a computer, or even magnetic tape. Automated teller machines are covered by...
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...Tutor Marker: Vincent Andrisani Policy document Research and Analysis Canada. Access to Information Review Task Force. (2002, June). Access to Information: Making it Work for Canadians. Page 2 Policy document Research and Analysis Canada. Access to Information Review Task Force. Overview: The decision to implement an Access to Information Act (ATIA) in Canada was a process initiated in the early 1970s and only in 1982 was a workable law established in this country. Through many years, the preliminary actions were taken by a few and only after the government officially decided to develop the law, was a real concerted effort expended on the Access To Information Act (ATIA). Heralded as an example to be followed, it has been many years since the law was amended to keep up with the times of the changing face of information access. As a result the Canadian act has languished for many years with a constant whittling away at the right to access culminating with the current outcry that the law must be made more workable. This is a brief search of the actions that have been taken and their results. Historical aspects of Access to Information in Canada: The existing Access to Information Act (ATIA) as passed by the Federal Parliament in 1982, and was enacted in1983 after years of attempts at implementation Page 3 of an information access bill by members of the Canadian Parliament. Spearheaded by the Conservative MP Gerald William...
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...This essay discuss the Privacy Act of 1974, the Information Privacy Law, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and other laws and provisions designed to protect an individual’s privacy. In this essay I will also discuss the importance on trust and integrity in the work environment. As communication technology expands, and the possibility of accessing that technology has grow increasingly less challenging to gain, it has become more difficult to protect personal information and the use of an individual’s personal information. Whether this information is used for business, consensus, personal, educational, or even fraudulent reasons, the Individual’s right to control his or her personal information held by others has grown into an enormous concern for most people over the age of eighteen. Additionally, considering the average age for acceptance to most internet social forums and email accounts is thirteen years old, the concern for personal information security can begin even before puberty. In this essay I will also discuss how Legislation and Law makers are have and are continuing to attempt to protect information privacy as new technologies and new institutional procedures arise. This essay will talk about but not go into great detail about how the information privacy is covered in the American Constitution, the provisions for this law, and the conditions of disclosure for this law. Because the Privacy act of 1974 does not cover in great depth email and communications traffic...
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...To What Extent Have Constitutional Reforms Since 1997 Reduced the Powers of the UK Government? (40 Marks) The UK government has a lot of power and is able to make and abolish laws. Human Rights Act 1998, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and devolution are examples of constitutional reforms that have in some ways decreased the power of the UK government. Devolution is where the supreme power (in this case Westminster) distributes some power to other regions. For example; the UK government decided to give devolved power to Scotland to form the Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland to form The Northern Ireland Assembly and to Wales to form the Welsh Assembly. Scotland has statistically more devolved power than Wales or Northern Ireland as Scotland is able to decide the amount of tax that it demands off its citizens. Scotland is able to raise or lower the tax rate in Scotland by 3% which decreases UK government power over Scotland. On the contrary, the UK government does not have its power reduced. The UK government has the power to take away the devolved power that it has given to these regions. This has been previously conducted in the past with Northern Ireland in 1972 when Northern Ireland was stripped of its devolved power due to constant violence and lack of control that the Northern Ireland Assembly had over its people. Within the early years of Northern Irelands devotional power there was riots and verbal fights between politicians from unionist parties and nationalist/republican...
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...Part 1 (Preferably 250 words) (may be able to refer to freedom act as FOI) Further information regarding the decision made by the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) to remove ‘Healthwart’ may be available for Gonzo to review and potentially utilise. The Freedom of Information Act 1982 provides the basis for the right to access information. The right to access is provided in section 11 of the aforementioned act with subsection (1)(a) providing a right to access a document of an agency (establishment). Subsection (2)(a) deems a person’s reason for seeking information immaterial. Therefore Gonzo have the right to seek documents (including electronically stored information) under the Freedom of Information Act, implying no exemptions restrict access. Exemptions to the general right to access information are encompassed in division 2 and division 3 of the Freedom of Information Act. Division 3 makes available general exemptions to the general right to access information, although no division 3 exceptions will prevent the right to access...
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...relation to the use of business information In this P5 I’m going to explain the legal and ethical issues of tesco. Legal issues • Data Protection Act 1998 • Freedom of Information Act 2000 • The Computer Misuse Act 1990 Data Protection Act 1998 The Data Protection Act 1998 regulates the processing of information relating to individuals, including the obtaining, holding, use or disclosure of such information. The Act gives individuals rights of access in relation to personal data which is about them, which means that participants’ can ask for copies of personal data collected by a researcher. It requires that anyone who processes personal data must comply with eight principles, which make sure that personal data are: • fairly and lawfully processed; • processed for limited purposes; • adequate, relevant and not excessive; • accurate and up to date; • not kept for longer than is necessary; • processed in line with your rights; • secure • not transferred to other countries without adequate protection. Freedom of Information Act 2000 The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force on January 1st 2005. It provides a general right of access to information held by public authorities, and is intended to increase openness and transparency. Anybody, anywhere in the world can make a request under the Freedom of Information Act. The Computer Misuse Act 1990 The Computer Misuse Act (1990) was introduced to help deal...
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