Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
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Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Code Context
            if (Configure::read('debug')) {

                trigger_error($message, E_USER_WARNING);

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</span></span></code>
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If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The government&amp;rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The RTI Act states: &amp;ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, notified under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, requires the hosts or owners of websites to take immediate action on &amp;ldquo;objectionable content&amp;rdquo; on their portals. The definition of what is objectionable is so ambiguous that it can include anything&amp;mdash;effectively allowing the government to control online content and businesses. This is surprising in a country such as India, the world&amp;rsquo;s largest democracy, where people exercise freedom of speech and expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Indian civil society&amp;rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&amp;rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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&lt;br /&gt;
The RTI Act states: &amp;ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.&lt;br /&gt;
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                <strong>Internet as a human right, courtesy RTI by Osama Manzar</strong></h1>
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                <br /><div align="justify">If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens<br /><br />The government&rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.<br /><br />The RTI Act states: &ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&rdquo;<br /><br />But the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, notified under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, requires the hosts or owners of websites to take immediate action on &ldquo;objectionable content&rdquo; on their portals. The definition of what is objectionable is so ambiguous that it can include anything&mdash;effectively allowing the government to control online content and businesses. This is surprising in a country such as India, the world&rsquo;s largest democracy, where people exercise freedom of speech and expression.<br /><br />The Indian civil society&rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.<br /><br />India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.<br /><br />Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.<br /><br /><em>Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.<br /></em><br /></div>               </font>
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</span></span></code>
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</span></code></span>
<code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #007700">&lt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">meta&nbsp;http</span><span style="color: #007700">-</span><span style="color: #0000BB">equiv</span><span style="color: #007700">=</span><span style="color: #DD0000">"Content-Type"&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">content</span><span style="color: #007700">=</span><span style="color: #DD0000">"text/html;&nbsp;charset=utf-8"</span><span style="color: #007700">/&gt;
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&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The government&amp;rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The RTI Act states: &amp;ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, notified under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, requires the hosts or owners of websites to take immediate action on &amp;ldquo;objectionable content&amp;rdquo; on their portals. The definition of what is objectionable is so ambiguous that it can include anything&amp;mdash;effectively allowing the government to control online content and businesses. This is surprising in a country such as India, the world&amp;rsquo;s largest democracy, where people exercise freedom of speech and expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Indian civil society&amp;rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&amp;rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The government&amp;rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The RTI Act states: &amp;ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
The Indian civil society&amp;rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&amp;rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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                <strong>Internet as a human right, courtesy RTI by Osama Manzar</strong></h1>
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                <br /><div align="justify">If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens<br /><br />The government&rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.<br /><br />The RTI Act states: &ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&rdquo;<br /><br />But the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, notified under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, requires the hosts or owners of websites to take immediate action on &ldquo;objectionable content&rdquo; on their portals. The definition of what is objectionable is so ambiguous that it can include anything&mdash;effectively allowing the government to control online content and businesses. This is surprising in a country such as India, the world&rsquo;s largest democracy, where people exercise freedom of speech and expression.<br /><br />The Indian civil society&rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.<br /><br />India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.<br /><br />Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.<br /><br /><em>Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.<br /></em><br /></div>               </font>
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If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The government&amp;rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The RTI Act states: &amp;ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, notified under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, requires the hosts or owners of websites to take immediate action on &amp;ldquo;objectionable content&amp;rdquo; on their portals. The definition of what is objectionable is so ambiguous that it can include anything&amp;mdash;effectively allowing the government to control online content and businesses. This is surprising in a country such as India, the world&amp;rsquo;s largest democracy, where people exercise freedom of speech and expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Indian civil society&amp;rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&amp;rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
The government&amp;rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The RTI Act states: &amp;ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
The Indian civil society&amp;rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&amp;rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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                <strong>Internet as a human right, courtesy RTI by Osama Manzar</strong></h1>
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                <br /><div align="justify">If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens<br /><br />The government&rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.<br /><br />The RTI Act states: &ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&rdquo;<br /><br />But the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, notified under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, requires the hosts or owners of websites to take immediate action on &ldquo;objectionable content&rdquo; on their portals. The definition of what is objectionable is so ambiguous that it can include anything&mdash;effectively allowing the government to control online content and businesses. This is surprising in a country such as India, the world&rsquo;s largest democracy, where people exercise freedom of speech and expression.<br /><br />The Indian civil society&rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.<br /><br />India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone.<br /><br />Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development.<br /><br /><em>Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.<br /></em><br /></div>               </font>
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If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens<br />
<br />
The government&rsquo;s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression.<br />
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The RTI Act states: &ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&rdquo;<br />
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<br />
The Indian civil society&rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.<br />
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<br />
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<br />
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If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens<br />
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<br />
The RTI Act states: &ldquo;Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.&rdquo;<br />
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<br />
The Indian civil society&rsquo;s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People&rsquo;s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government.<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />
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Internet as a human right, courtesy RTI by Osama Manzar

If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens The government’s approach towards universal Internet access is marred by dichotomy. While the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, calls Internet one of the most effective means of communication and urges authorities to post more information online, some newly issued guidelines appear to be an attempt to gag freedom of online expression. The RTI Act states: “Every public authority should provide as much information suo motu (on its own) to the public through various means of communication so that the public have minimum need to use the Act to obtain information. Internet being one of the most effective means of communication, the information may be posted on the website.” But the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, notified under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, requires the hosts or owners of websites to take immediate action on “objectionable content” on their portals. The definition of what is objectionable is so ambiguous that it can include anything—effectively allowing the government to control online content and businesses. This is surprising in a country such as India, the world’s largest democracy, where people exercise freedom of speech and expression. The Indian civil society’s struggle for access to information is not new. Initiatives such as the National Campaign on People’s Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan movement in the early 1990s demanded openness about land records. More recently, the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare has advocated information disclosure from the government. India has nearly 100 million people using the Internet. If access to information is the first step towards empowerment, then it is important to make Internet accessibility a human right because a lot of useful information, particularly relating to government schemes, is either unpublished or inaccessible by other means for most citizens. Information flow and decentralization is directly proportional to wider and inclusive development, which can further provide a cushion to absorb political, social and economic unrest. This is only possible when information access to public welfare data and content becomes a fundamental right. The RTI has supporting clauses that almost make it mandatory to provide Internet access to everyone. Besides policy issues, poor infrastructure is the biggest bottleneck. The government must take proactive action to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas, with the help of civil society groups, spread awareness about RTI Act, and harness the power of mobile Internet to ensure that Internet access is not just a basic right, but also an effective tool of national development. Osama Manzar is director of Digital Empowerment Foundation and curator, mBillionth Award. He is also a member of a working group for Internet governance at the ministry of information technology.