South Asia: Differing on Right to Information
Kalinga SENEVIRATNE
The right to information (RTI), as espoused by the United Nations and
international human rights organisations, does not have full endorsement
from South Asian media practitioners and scholars.
At a meeting earlier this month, to discuss the value and
applicability of RTI, many argued that it is a right to be enjoyed by
media in all South Asian countries as an essential ingredient of
independent journalism, but others said it needs to be practised with
responsibility.
Differences cropped up among Bangaldeshis, the hosts. Prof. Harun-or-Rashid
president of the Bangla Academy wanted a full review of the recent RTI
Act in his country, saying many of the clauses actually act as barriers
to free and timely access to information.
Access to information vital in a democracy |
But chairman of the United News of Bangladesh, Amanullah Khan,
praised the (military installed) interim government for formulating this
act — as well as the separation of the judiciary from the state — as key
towards achieving good governance and peoples’ empowerment.
Khan pointed out that the present Dhaka government has repeatedly
described the media as the second parliament in the absence of a
functioning parliament. Yet, the New Age newspaper, in a stinging
editorial this month, argues that the Bangladesh government’s idea of
the media acting as parliament is based on the premise that this
‘parliament’ will not have dissenting voices.
They pointed out the constant harassment by government officials of
media personalities with phone calls giving unwarranted suggestions for
reportage.
The editor of Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, The Daily Star, Mahfuz
Anam, argues that the media has a responsibility to create an
environment for right to information.
“Free press is often seen by journalists as existing for their
benefit,” observed Anam. “This is where we have gone wrong. Unless we
can convince the people that it is for their benefit (a free press) our
ability to function in a free media environment is contained”.
Public interest
Anam said journalists should be constantly aware that their
profession is about serving the public interest, and that is why the
media should enjoy certain freedoms.
“If the public is given information, you can ensure accountability by
questioning government decisions and actions,” he argued.
One of India’s leading investigative journalists Aniruddha Bahal of
the news portal Cobrapost.com pointed out that since India introduced an
RTI law five years ago, every Indian citizen has gained the right to
question the government . “Right to information is to bring out the
facts.
If journalists are not able to use it, then they are not practising
their profession,” he argued.
Bahal, known for carrying out sensational sting operations exposing
corruption, in government and outside, said his stories often lead to
prosecutions in court and that he consequently ends up spending a good
number of days each month in courts.
He needs to have a team of 10 bodyguards to protect him, not from the
government but from corrupt people and criminal syndicates.
When it comes to press freedom fingers are often pointed at
governments when the reality on the ground may be entirely different.
“We don’t normally get threats from the government but from those
outside,” said Ghamaraj Luitel, station manager of Radio Sagarmatha,
Nepal’s pioneering independent community radio station which now claims
to be a mainstream public service broadcaster in Kathmandu.
“Many groups which are agitating (against the government) want their
news in the mainstream media. When they see their news anywhere else but
on the front page, they harass the editors and publishers as well,” he
added.
Much of the current debate in South Asia is on whether national
security issues are legitimate grounds for curtailment of media freedom.
Many argue that this should not be, and that governments should not be
allowed to use that as an excuse to censor the media.
National security
Participants from Sri Lanka were particularly divided on this issue.
“Nowhere in the world are reporters allowed to have untrammelled
freedom to report on national security issues. Troops can’t be
compromised,” argued Rajpal Abeynayake, editor of Lakbima, an
independent English language weekly in Sri Lanka. “It is not an issue of
patriotism (to accept this fact) but an issue of security for you, your
family and the community,’’ he told IPS.
Abeynayake said that in Sri Lanka, where an intense war is raging
between Government Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
who regularly send suicide bombers into the community, certain reporting
of military action or even of the type of arms the government has
acquired may compromise the security of state and community.
“Press freedom needs to accompanied by responsibility,” argues
Abeynayake. “Responsibility needs to be exercised in a way that you
don’t give the state the ammunition to take away your freedom.’’
Syed Faseih Iqbal, editor-in-chief of the Daily Baluchistan Times
from Pakistan told IPS that the lawyers movement which rose up against
President Pervez Musharaf contributed to democracy in Pakistan society
and free the media.
While the Musharaf government regularly used the national security
issue as an excuse to gag the media, the new coalition government has
revived the Access to Information Act, Iqbal said.
Good times
“The coalition partners were all in the opposition before and they
understand the meaning of these (media) restrictions,” noted Iqbal.
“I’m happy this time Pakistan will lead the region in freeing up the
media. Good times are ahead for the press in Pakistan.”
A military-installed civilian government in Bangladesh plans to
introduce community radio and free up the airwaves for people’s voices,
the Sri Lankan government battles to contain media reporting of the
on-going civil war on national security grounds and Pakistan’s new
government is trying to dismantle some of the media restrictions imposed
by years of military rule.
”No wonder South Asians differ so much on the concept of RTI and will
probably do continue doing so for some time to come,” said one observer.
IPS |