RTI is a powerful tool for investigative journalism: Sridhar
“RTI Act is the biggest and most powerful tool to get our information,” said Prof Sridhar Acharyulu while addressing BAJMC second year students of Bennett University.
Prof Sridhar, who is an Ex-Central Information Commissioner and has taught in NALSAR,Hyderabad , one of the most prestigious law schools in India, started off by telling students the exact purpose of the RTI Act. “It is a legal way of obtaining a certified copy of a document related to any public body,” said Prof Sridhar while defining the Act.
Difference between Transparency and RTI.
Prof Sridhar very subtly drew the line between transparency and RTI by defining transparency as “I’ll reveal on my own” and RTI as “If you ask for it”.
He also stressed upon the importance of RTI in the field of investigative journalism and how it is the most important and authentic tool for budding investigative journalists.
He also showed the students the sad reality of contestants standing for elections and how some unethical elements still prevail in the system. “A person who has a track record of 40 criminal cases running against him would be allowed to contest elections unless he is proven guilty,” said Prof Sridhar.
“We can track the police as well as educational records of the people contesting our elections and all this has been made possible with the help of RTI,” added Prof Sridhar.
The RTI Process
He made the whole idea of filing an RTI seem easy by telling the step by step process of pursuing it.
Here are the steps which you can follow to file an RTI:
1. Know the department from which the information has to be obtained.
2. Write the RTI application in the prescribed format.
3. Pay the assigned amount. Usually Rs.10 is to be paid through post.
4. After completing the above steps send your application through speed post.
5. If you do not get any answer within 30 days you can further file a complaint regarding the department.
If the Public Information Officer fails to answer the RTI within 30 days he is fined a total of Rs. 25,000 which he is supposed to pay out of his own pocket. Further, police complaint can be registered against him and legal action could be taken.
Prof Sridhar also made the students aware about the need to file more and more RTIs and get the right and authentic information in order to build their knowledge base.
Prof Sridhar, who is an Ex-Central Information Commissioner and has taught in NALSAR,
Difference between Transparency and RTI.
Prof Sridhar very subtly drew the line between transparency and RTI by defining transparency as “I’ll reveal on my own” and RTI as “If you ask for it”.
He also stressed upon the importance of RTI in the field of investigative journalism and how it is the most important and authentic tool for budding investigative journalists.
He also showed the students the sad reality of contestants standing for elections and how some unethical elements still prevail in the system. “A person who has a track record of 40 criminal cases running against him would be allowed to contest elections unless he is proven guilty,” said Prof Sridhar.
“We can track the police as well as educational records of the people contesting our elections and all this has been made possible with the help of RTI,” added Prof Sridhar.
The RTI Process
He made the whole idea of filing an RTI seem easy by telling the step by step process of pursuing it.
Here are the steps which you can follow to file an RTI:
1. Know the department from which the information has to be obtained.
2. Write the RTI application in the prescribed format.
3. Pay the assigned amount. Usually Rs.10 is to be paid through post.
4. After completing the above steps send your application through speed post.
5. If you do not get any answer within 30 days you can further file a complaint regarding the department.
If the Public Information Officer fails to answer the RTI within 30 days he is fined a total of Rs. 25,000 which he is supposed to pay out of his own pocket. Further, police complaint can be registered against him and legal action could be taken.
Prof Sridhar also made the students aware about the need to file more and more RTIs and get the right and authentic information in order to build their knowledge base.
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