Newsletter-149

A newsletter containing news, views, articles, investigative stories in the field of

Right to Information

from

Around the World

Issue No: 149 E – Alert Issue Date: 19-10-2017
 

Georgia
Freedom of Information: Georgia laws demand transparency
The Valdosta Daily Times
It is a bit burdensome for the government to comply with those requests and the posting requirements and all of that, but I do think it’s worth it; we need to know what…

Canada
New Brunswick gets ‘B’ for openness in national access-to-information audit
CBC News

A group of media watchdogs has given the New Brunswick government a “B” grade for openness, based on a national audit of access to information systems…

Pakistan
KARACHI PTI leader seeks Sindh to release three key investigation reports
ARY News

(PTI) Karachi President Ali Zaidi has submitted a request to Chief Secretary Sindh in writing over the release of probing reports in cases concerning Baldia Factory fire…

Nigeria
Six years after passage, Nigerians make ‘little use’ of FOI Act – Report
Premium Times

Despite these provisions and its attendant guidelines, Nigerian ministries, departments and agencies have received very few requests for information from the public…

India
Right to Information: Around 2.44 crore applications filed between 2005-2016, reveals report
First Post

Around 2.44 crore applications under the Right to Information (RTIs) Act have been filed with various central and state government departments by citizens, NGO…

U.S
Is Trump a Moron? Watchdogs File Freedom of Information Requests to Find Out
The Newsweek

On Thursday the campaign group Free Speech For People filed the first of a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking details about whether senior officials…

Pakistan
Controversial bill sails thru NA
The Nation

The statement of objects and reasons of the bill says the bill is intended to promote a two-way flow of information – from the government to the people and vice versa – for strengthening…

India
65 RTI activists murdered since 2005 — here’s a tribute to India’s fallen heroes
Your Story

With more than 65 people killed and close to 400 harassed or intimidated, violence against RTI activists is a menace that continues…

Pakistan
Free flow of information not ensured in RAI Bill: CPDI
Business Recorder

“The RAI Bill 2017 is neither effective like the provincial right to information (RTI) laws nor in line with the globally accepted principles of RTI legislation. The two houses passed it…

India
75,493 infant deaths in India from April to July, 5,547 of them from Maharashtra
The Indian Express

Madhya Pradesh, with 9,269 children aged till 5, recorded the highest deaths followed by Uttar Pradesh with 8,440 deaths…

Ghana
Parliament Urged to Pass Right to Information Bill
Ghana News Agency

RTI Bill, if passed in Parliament would empower Ghanaians to demand for accountability and transparency, and promote access to information that could help curb corrupt practices…

Pakistan
President urged to send RAI Bill 2017 back to Parliament
The News

We request you to use your powers under Article 74 of the Constitution and advise Parliament to review this bill in light of suggestions from civil society and RTI experts…

India
Manodhairya scheme: ‘1308 survivors have not received compensation
The Indian Express

Rape, acid attack survivors who were sanctioned compensation under the state-run scheme from October 2013 to January 2017 were not paid: RTI…

Transparency and Right to Information Program
——————————————–
Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Pakistan (CPDI-Pakistan)
Tel: +92 (0) 51-8312794, 8312795
URL: www.cpdi-pakistan.org