Image from SEAPA site
FreedomInfo.org, the National Security Archive’s sister site that is a one-stop portal for RTK developments around the world, has an extended list of this year’s RTK success stories here.
There are 113 RTK laws on the books – of varying effectiveness – around the world.
If you want a good idea of where your country ranks globally, visit Canada’s Centre for Law and Democracy Right to Information Ranking Project, which currently ranks the United States 55th.
Washington DC, September 28, 2016 – Today we celebrate the 14th annual International Right to Know Day by highlighting a few of the year’s most impactful news stories that were made possible by people taking advantage of right to know (RTK) laws around the world.
Some 113 countries have RTK laws on the books that allow citizens to request access to their government’s information. A sampling of stories - selected from a much longer list curated by Toby McIntosh at FreedomInfo.org -- made possible by people capitalizing on these laws includes:
Source: “Enhancing Good Government ThroughCitizens’ Access to Information,” Africa Freedom of Information Center, 2016.
Result: After fraud was exposed public funding went only to legitimate beneficiaries.
Source: “No doctor in 284 Basic Health Units of 13 Punjab Districts,” The News International, July 13, 2016.
Result: Government pledged to fill vacancies.
Source: “India hospital transfusions infect thousands with HIV,” BBC, May 31, 2016.
Result: Government pledged to improve blood safety screenings and introduce technology to ensure zero HIV transmission.
Source: “Access to information used to track non-delivery of Teaching and Learning Materials,” Africa Freedom of Information Center, 2016.
Result: Fraudulent supplier forced to reimburse all funds meant for the supplies.
Source: “Drones in near-misses with planes almost once a week as pilots warn of 'unacceptably high' crash risk,” The Telegraph, May 23, 2016.
Result: Government announced it would introduce new regulations on drones in a Modern Transport Bill.
Source: “Gov’t, NEPA knew about Royalton breaches,” Jamaica Observer, May 12, 2016.
Result: Development Ministry examined structural soundness of all building project sites, ordering developers to address 12 specific issues at the project site before allowing work to proceed.
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