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: 150
 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]
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: 151
 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]
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]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | RTI activists fear privacy right shield -Anita Joshua

RTI activists fear privacy right shield -Anita Joshua

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Aug 25, 2017   modified Modified on Aug 25, 2017
-The Telegraph

New Delhi: Advocates of transparency have a new worry amid the euphoria over the privacy verdict - the possibility of information commissioners citing the new fundamental right to deny answers under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

As it is, RTI activists have had to contend with commissioners using Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act to refuse information on the premise that it infringes upon a person's privacy. The section is an exemption clause in the Act, and official data show it is the most commonly used reason for refusing information.

The section is about "information which relates to personal information, the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the central public information officer or the state public information officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information".

Today's verdict, according to former central information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, "will have a major impact on the freedom of expression" as what is covered by privacy will be prohibited from being published or revealed under the RTI Act.

Lawyers contend that since both the right to know and the right to privacy have constitutional backing, an effort ought to be made to strike a balance between the two as they are integral to a vibrant democracy.

Activists on the ground know they have a bigger battle ahead, given their experience with the RTI exemption clause.

Anjali Bhardwaj of Satark Nagrik Sangathan told The Telegraph that there could be a greater reliance now on the privacy clause to deny information, especially in sensitive cases.

One case where the RTI's privacy clause was cited among the reasons for refusing information was the application for information on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualifications.

Please click here to read more.

The Telegraph, 25 August, 2017, https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170825/jsp/nation/story_169072.jsp


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close