RTI to Power �Journalistic Investigations
Vishnu Rajgadia, India
Drive Against Bribe
Citizens’ Grievances becomes News
News Stories due to RTI
Shedding Light on Wrongdoing
Some of the impactful stories uncovered through RTI
Reporters Collective : Voter List Story
ECI’s 'Purified' Bihar Voter List : 67,826 cases of dubious double voters in merely 15 constituencies, registered with identical credentials
India Spend : Deaths of Labours
3 Workers Die Every Day In Indian Factories
1,109 deaths, 4,000 injuries in registered factories, on average, each year between 2017 and 2020.
The largely informal economy and underreporting of incidents even in the formal economy mean these figures are underestimates, say experts.
Citizen Investigative Journalism
The Mooknayak : Medical Education
Is becoming a doctor a dream or a death trap?
The 48-hour rule is being flouted in Indian medical colleges - RTI - shocking facts!
News based on RTI Expose
TIP SHEET : Value added RTI requests to counter denial tactics (Ref : The RTI Act 2005, India)
In 20 years, the PIOs in India have learned a lot of tactics on how to deny information. Like
1. This is personal information.
2. This is third party information.
3. This is not held with us.
4. It will divert our resources.
5. Demanding huge amounts for information.
6. Information is exempted from disclosure.
Therefore, investigative journalists shall write value added RTI requests to counter probable denial for information by the officials.
Denial Tactics : This is personal information
TIP One : Involve individuals from the affected communities or victims to counter so-called 'personal' information. We have started involving the medical students or their families to request for information about their own duty hours. Inform could be sought within 48 hours in case of life or liberty related issues by individuals regarding their own issues.
TIP Two : Mention in your request that the information sought by me is under 'Larger Public Interest' and the matter is related to large scale corruption or irregularities, or there are doubts that the person has got appointment through fake documents and therefore the information has larger public interest etc.
TIP Three : If the same issue has already been raised in the Parliament or a State Legislature earlier, you can also mention it as the Act has such provisions.
Denial Tactics : Demand of huge amount
TIP Four : You can request - 'Kindly provide the information in soft copy through E-mail if possible, or in any format suitable to you.'
Denial Tactics : This is Third party information
TIP Five : Even in that case, the PIO cannot simply deny information. Therefore, mention in your request that if this is third party information, please provide me the details as below:
Denial Tactics : This is not held by us
TIP Six : Use section 5(3) and 6(3) in your request. Mention in your RTI application that if the information is held by another public authority, please transfer under section 6(3) and this assistance is sought under section 5(3). Thus, you have used two provisions at a time.
Denial Tactics : Supplying this information will divert our resources.
TIP Seven : Mention in RTI request - "You can provide me the information in any form available with you and which is easier for you."
Denial Tactics : Information is exempted from disclosure
TIP Eight : Request 20 or more years old information. 20 years is just a currant history of your time and demanding information regarding some important controversies, issues, doubtful corruption or irregularities in awarding contracts etc could be sought under this provision. Even some old documents can give you some useful insight and data to analyze any current topic.
Some more Tips
TIP NINE : Request for information at multiple public authorities related to each other. Ask for the complaints received and actions taken by the various authorities. Since various authorities report to each other and may not have a vested interest in each case, it's possible that useful information may be provided by one or another authority. Comparing them and finding contradictions can also provide valuable insights and facts for investigative reporting.
TIP Ten : Involve a group of citizens and RTI activists working on any specific cause such as : anti-corruption, climate change, social justice, and women empowerment. Suggest them to file multiple RTI applications with various authorities and use their findings with proper attribution.
TIP Eleven : Demand the complete file or all records of any particular issue. Investigating probable corruption in road construction, or any contract or expenditure, a specific or partial query may alert the Public Information Officer, allowing them to make excuses. Requesting the complete file may prevent this, as they might not anticipate the scope of the request.
TIP Twelve : Don't ask for huge information at once. If you request for a little information, getting it will be easier. In case of complicated or a lot of information in a single request, the official may try to ignore it.
TIP Thirteen : Use section FOUR in your application. The public authorities has to suo-motu disclose all major information on internet. Mention in your application that it comes under suo-motu disclosure category and can not be denied.
Thanks
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