International Right to Information Day-2011 Observed

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International Right to Information Day-2011 Observed

Mass-line Media Centre (MMC) observed International Right to Information Day-2011 with the support of SDC on 28^th September, 2011 in Rabindra Sarobor Unmukto Natyomoncho, Dhanmondi. Highlighting the theme “Right to Information for Improving Local Public Services”, MMC organized a discussion session and a folk cultural program on that day, which was live telecasted by Media Partner Boishakhi Television from 5.30 -7.00 pm.

In the discussion session Kamrul Hasan Monju, Executive Director, MMC delivered welcome speech. In shortened speech he says- ‘People’s awareness about right to information is still very limited. On the other hand, there is lacking among the responsible persons for providing information. They have not yet become skilled enough adroitness for providing information. As the Information Commission is not entirely independent, it is facing various hindrances in case of implementation of the RTL Law 2009. MMC has remained a part of the movement for enacting and implementing the RTI Law in Bangladesh and this organization is observing the International Right to Information Day for years. Presently MMC is working for building awareness of the grassroots people regarding RTI Law and its impact on the livelihood of common people through different activities. It is hoped that, this organization would play a significant role for ensuring the proper implementation of RTI Law in course of time.

After the welcome speech the Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Urs Herren unveiled the souvenir published on RTI day by MMC. Professor Golam Rahman and Associate Professor Robaet Ferdous of Mass Communication & Journalism Department, DU, Dulal Chandra Biswas, Director General of Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) and ED, MMC were present on the stage during that event. Dr. Urs Herren said, implementing RTI law remained a difficult task in everywhere in the world. I hope Bangladesh Government will be committed to change the culture regarding RTI. For this purpose the government should ensure pro-active disclosure and at the same time people should be given open access to information.

Robaet Ferdous said, it seems that the activities of Information Commission are going on slowly. But there are a lot of reasons behind this. Information Commission is not a government organization, so it has to build up its own image as an independent & sovereign organization to mass people. But commission is still far away from reaching that goal and the main cause for this situation is the commission’s dependency on government.’

Professor Dr. Golam Rahman said that mass people should be aware about the implementation of RTI law. When people will feel the merits of being informed, they will be conscious about the law. In this regard, development organizations can play catalytic role; they can take initiatives to motivate people.

Dr. Dulal Chandra Biswas highlighted the importance of PIB to implement RTI law. He said that right to information has strong relation with the activities of PIB. Therefore, PIB is working for implementation of the RTI law in its own way. If Journalists can become aware about this law, they will be able to aware common people also.

After the short discussion session the enchanting folk cultural program with local Bauls was started. Fazlu Boul and his team from Jamalpur, Shafi Mondal and his team from Kushtia and woman folk artist Maria Sultana performed in the program. The Bauls sang different songs related to RTI issue for raising people’s awareness besides singing some popular folk songs. A huge crowd of different gender, class, age and status enjoyed the program. (Prepared by Tuhina Sultana and reviewed by Aditi Das Gupta)