All people have rights to get information: Speakers at information rights day discussion

Speakers at a discussion today said all people of the country have the right to seek and receive information from government entities (except those concerning national security) and private authorities to ensure transparency.

The right to access information is an integral part of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and expression, said the speakers marking International Information Rights Day 2024 at a discussion at the information commission in Dhaka's Agargaon area.

The speakers said Bangladesh has enacted the Right to Information Act to ensure the free flow of information to establish good governance. 

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman and Information and Broadcasting Ministry Additional Secretary (secretary in-charge) Md Nazrul Islam spoke the discussion as special guests with Information Commission Director SM Kamrul Islam in the chair.
 
Directorate of Primary Education Dr Md Abdul Hakim presented the keynote paper while Information Commission Deputy Director Md Salah Uddin gave the welcome address.
 
They said the act has formed a path for establishing good governance along with ensuring transparency and accountability in the activities of all government and non-government organisations.
 
The speakers noted that the Information Commission is working relentlessly to bring the benefits of the RTI Act to the doorsteps of the people.

All stakeholders including government entities, and electronic and print media should be involved in creating awareness among people about the RTI, they said.
 
They also said every government organisation is bound to provide all information that the people have the right to know.