By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 is the second most important legislation after the Constitution of India, said State Information Commissioner (SIC), CD Kynjing. Mr Kynjing was speaking at the valedictory function of the four-day workshop on Journalistic and General Writing, here on Friday.
While pointing out that the RTI Act is an important tool to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government, Mr Kynjing said the media has a very important role in reporting significant cases on RTI and in monitoring whether the Act is implemented in its true spirit in the State.
“The media has to find out whether the documenting and filing system within the Government has improved as this is essential in providing quick information to RTI seekers. Media should also inform which departments have complied to the voluntary disclosure clauses of the RTI,” Mr Kynjing observed, stating that transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government can only come about if the RTI Act is implemented in its true spirit.
Kynjing said the most important objective of the Act is to curb corruption which hinders the progress and development of the country. He said the importance of the Act can be gauged from the fact that since 2005 when the Act was implemented 12 RTI activists have been killed and many others harassed
“The RTI can be a revolutionary legislation only if people use the act to seek information about the actual implementation of various Government schemes and programmes,” the SIC said, adding that under RTI even file notings are open to public scrutiny. Kynjing however observed that there have been instances where the Act has been misused.
“We have received reports of people asking information under RTI by claiming that they belong to the notified BPL families so that they do not have to pay money to get information under RTI,” he said.
Mr Kynjing also pointed out that there are several instances where information seekers were socially ostracized by the Dorbar Shnong.
Kynjing also said that there are also many vested interested groups and individuals who are using the RTI for their own selfish interests.
Referring to the specific role of the media Kynjing exhorted the scribes not to be biased or to launch personal attacks which are not based on factual information and to concentrate on issues rather than on sensationalism.
The workshop on Journalistic and General Writing was jointly organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the Shillong Society for the Performing Arts (SSPA), the Shillong Press Club and Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU)
Other dignitaries present during the valedictory function included DIPR director Dr P Shakeel Ahammed, The Shillong Times Editor and President Shillong Society for the Performing Arts, Patricia Mukhim and Shillong Press Club president David Laitphlang.
The four-day journalism workshop was conducted by JM Foundation for Excellence in Journalism, Mumbai.