Necessity of Right to Information in Today
The Right to Information Act, 2005 provided safeguards and was a powerful tool in exposing corruption and ensuring good governance. However, the current government has led to the slow death of the RTI Act.They proposed a bill seekingto amend and weaken the RTI Act, which hadempowered crores of people in the country to fight corruption and hold the government accountable.
Recently, the Modi government not only exmptedthe Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents, from the ambit of the RTI Act, but also refusedto divulge information regarding the discussions leading to the decision.“An institution such as the CERT-In, whose actions or inaction is consequential for the status of cyber security and individual privacy in the country, must remain under the purview of the Act.”
The BJP government claims to be fighting corruption. However, rather than reinforcing the information commissions that assist people in obtaining information from various government departments, the Centre is intent on weakening their authority.
The Role of Media in the Right to Information
Traditionally, the media has been regarded as the Fourth Pillar of Democracy, essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and the free flow of information. It plays a critical role in shaping public opinion, holding the government accountable, and fostering an informed citizenry. In the past, it gave a fair view of the working of the various functions of the government.
However, recent developments suggest that this pillar is under significant strain. Social media platforms and news outlets being bribed by political parties, are often used to spreadbiased narratives, influencing public perception and swaying electoral outcomes. This manipulation of information undermines the very foundation of democratic debate and deliberation. A particularly concerning aspect of this trend is the susceptibility of older generations to these manipulations. Many in this demographic continue to rely on traditional news sources and may not be as adept at discerning credible information from misinformation. This makes them prime targets for propaganda and unverified news, leading to a skewed understanding of political realities and issues.
The erosion of the media’s role as a watchdog has serious implications for democracy. Without a robust, independent media, there is a significant risk of unchecked governmental power, corruption, and the erosion of civil liberties. Thus, Indian media is not a credible source for international matters, politics or any important event affected by the government. The solution to this problem would be to switch to alternate international sources of information such as Reuters or BBC, as they might not be able to provide information on all the local grievances, but they would surely provide an unbiased opinion.