‘‘Digital Security Act is a threat to the public’s right to know’’

On the occasion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2022- today ARTICLE 19 hosted an online event titled "Right to Information (RTI) Act to Ensure Accountability". Participants including Information Commission Official, information and human rights activists, journalists, NGO representatives, students, and youth representatives from across the country participated in it. In Bangladesh, the theme of the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2022 is 'Ensure people's right to information in the age of information technology’, while the UN is set to celebrate the Day globally with the theme- ‘Artificial intelligence, e-governance, and access to information.’

Speakers at the webinar said that the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA) – 2018 is a threat to the implementation of the public’s right to information. DSA has created a culture of fear which holds back the benefits of the Right to Information Act (RTI)-2009 from being reaped. They also opined that intentional non-disclosure and hiding of public information should be criminalized. If exemplary punishment is ensured in such instances, the tendency to hold back information can be stopped.

Dr. Md. Abdul Hakim, Director of Research, Publication, and Training of the Information Commission spoke at the webinar presided by Faruq Faisel, Regional Director for ARTICLE 19 South Asia. Discussants also included Sohrab Hassan, Joint –Editor of Prothom Alo,  and Rukshana Afroj, Programme Officer of Advancing Women's Rights of Access to Information Project at the Carter Center, Bangladesh. At the event, Moriom Shelly, Senior Programme Officer of the host organization, highlighted various aspects of a project implemented by ARTICLE 19 on ensuring accountability through the RTI Act.

Information Commission official Dr. Md. Abdul Hakim at the webinar said, ‘‘Articles 7 and 39 of the Bangladesh Constitution make the RTI Act truly a people's law. The Information Commission has been working to implement the public's right to know. The Commission is currently working with the Government's Access to Information (A2I) program to ensure access to information offline as well as online.’’

Senior journalist Sohrab Hasan said, “The government enacted the RTI Act in 2009 to ensure transparency and accountability. However, this perspective of the government has now changed. The right to know that was given to people by the RTI Act, has been taken away by the Digital Security Act.’’ He called for shortening the time limit for disposal of appeals under the RTI Act.

Rukshana Afroj, Programme Officer of the Carter Center Bangladesh, said, “The most vulnerable and marginalized groups in our society are usually deprived of access to information. This is even further for women. Poverty and lack of education are higher among women, and women are often the victims of corruption. The RTI Act can be a way for women to overcome these setbacks.”

In his speech, Faruq Faisel said, ‘‘The Information Commission can play a strong role in the implementation of the RTI Act. Recently, the Commission ordered the Bangladesh Police to provide an applicant with the information sought regarding the cases filed under the DSA. Such verdicts encourage the public and the media to use the RTI Act.’’

Journalists, NGO representatives, and RTI activists who participated in the event highlighted the obstacles and challenges in obtaining public information at the local level and shared their experiences.