Articles on Right to Information

Articles on the right to information, it’s uses, challenges, opportunities and major campaigns using the right to information

The right to information has become a major tool in the hands of poor and marginalised people in the quest to make governments accountable. With the development of social audits, it has been used successfully in combating corruption in many parts of the world. This section presents a few articles on this subject. You will also find links to a few documentaries, talks and other materials on the right to information campaign in India. For an extensive collection of links on right to information, click here.

Usability: Giving information is not enough

Data, data everywhere, not a bit to use: Why the Budget website is informative but nearly useless, and how to make it usable The Government of India (GoI) has an informative website with all budget speeches and the complete set of budget proposals. Consider these simple questions: 1. Which department got the highest outlay? 2. [...]

8 Principles for open government data & beyond

In an age of digital information, how should government publish electronic data in keeping with high standards of right to information.

Will the Unique ID project improve accountability?

Improving accountability depends on political and social initiatives, and not technological solutions. But technology can shape society and politics in limited ways. This article looks briefly at how the Unique id project can help in improving accountability of the government to people in India.

Fighting corruption using right to information: Arvind Kejriwal’s talk

Good introductory video on using right to information to combat corruption by Arvind Kejriwal Arvind Kejriwal has been at the heart of an inspiring campaign to combat corruption by using the right to information. He spearheaded a campaign in Delhi along with many other groups that popularised the use of right to information. Arvind got [...]

Right to information call centre in Bihar: Video clip

It looks like Government of Bihar has launched a Right to information call centre. Personally, I think this is a great idea, though I dont know how it works at this point. If found a video about it in You Tube that has been widely televised. This is a eight minute clip about that appeals [...]