A decade ago when a journalist wanted to dig up information on issues rocking government, the only way to access such crucial data was via sources. Despite laying hands on such documents, a doubt in reporter’s mind on the authenticity of the documents would continue to last.
While the growing competition in media industry has brought into play innovative tools of journalism for digging up information, the incessant pressure from editors to get exclusive and breaking stories continue to haunt journalists. While some of the noted tools like spy cam, internet, high speed data card, net books and others have made their mark, unfortunately Right to Information (RTI) act, one of the indispensable tools of new- generation-journalism remains untouched.
Today, journalists are under immense pressure to get exclusive stories. Now it’s high-time that we all journalists begin exploring RTI and make effective use of it to get authentic information to expose the wrongdoing and bring back the glory of investigative journalism. All that a journalist needs to do before filing an RTI query is to follow 11 (not 10 this time) commandments given below:
1. Know your story lead:
As a journalist, one should know his/her story lead only then the RTI h/she would be filing will get enough information to file the story. It is very important to be clear with the story idea otherwise in appropriate and unnecessary questions will fetch you incomplete and misleading information. Most of the RTI replies are incomplete and misleading and the only way to avoid it is to ask appropriate questions pertaining only to the story idea and not redundant details. You should know what exactly you want to know prove your story.
2. File two RTI if it is a controversial subject:
It is very important for the reporter to get to the nerve of the issue/story idea he is planning to investigate. In most of the cases when the RTI query pertaining to any controversial issue is filed, the PIO tries to furnish misleading/incomplete information. In such cases the reporter should file two different RTIs in different names asking information relevant to the story deceiving PIO in getting the whole picture. The two replies, when considered together will make your story. This will not give PIO any clue on what you are planning to do with the information.
3. Use right to inspection whenever necessary:
When a journalist –
· Is not sure of the information needed
· Not clear with story idea
· The information sought belongs to some high profile personality or specific company which/who has nexus with government
· The information sought is voluminous
Under the above mention circumstance a journalist should use the right to inspection. Under the provision of inspection, applicant would be provided with all the files requested and reporters can take the necessary information as he inspects the file.
4. Keep the RTI small and simple – should be easy to comprehend: The RTI application should be easy to understand. Avoid using infrequent words. No problem even if the query has grammatical errors, but ensure that even a person with little knowledge of English would be able to understand your questions since most of the government officials use regional language for communication. Try to limit the questions to 10 questions per application since answering more than 10 would be practically impossible for PIO to reply within 30 days considering the manual maintenance of records. Writing 2-3 small RTIs are better than one big RTI. Since not replying to one RTI is easy for PIO and not for many. Keep your request small and ask data for minimal period. Rather than asking information for 20-10 years ask for years which might be a landmark year or change of the government. Since voluminous request tends to get delayed for obvious reasons. Indian administration is not yet fully computerized.
5. Never disclose your journalist identity in the RTI query: A reporter should not disclose h/her identity as a journalist since the PIO might hesitate to furnishing information fearing its publication and subsequent harassment from higher official for furnishing information. Moreover, RTI rules do not bind the applicant to disclose his profession.
6. Know your PIO: In several offices (usually small) the head of the department by default would be the PIO. Reporter should bear this in his mind while filing RTI since the PIO in his capacity would be directly answerable to public in case of any adversity arising out of RTI reply, so he would try to avoid/delay the reply. However, in case of significant and major department especially central government department, there are dedicated PIOs appointed under RTI act who would furnish complete information requested as the disseminated information would not harm/affect them directly.
7. Ask for the copy of the document rather than specific and tailored answers: The information with government is in the form of reports, logbooks, emails, advices, rules, regulations, manuals, gazette etc. Because the copy of these would not only give you complete and untailored information but also extra data that could be used to for the story. By asking for the copy of the relevant document you make it difficult for the PIO to loosely interpret your request. Information requested should not be in the nature of questioning government or asking any opinion, clarification or justification. The query should ask the data which is available with the government, since the PIO is can only furnish the information available and not generate it.
8. Know all the RTI rules of respective states: Since the RTI act is central act, different states have different rules framed to govern the act in their respective state. Journalist should know the basic rules like mode of payment, format if any, word limit, number of questions allowed, fees etc. Otherwise the query may be rejected killing your precious time.
9. File it with the right department: File the RTI with right department which posses the information requested otherwise PIO will get grace period of five days to transfer the application to concerned department besides 30 days as per the rule. Usually it delays for more than five days.
10. Your RTI application should not give the PIO any clue on your intention in seeking information: Write questions which would not let the PIO to get a clear picture of your idea in seeking the information. By looking at the nature of the question requested PIO could figure out the gist of the answers, which might provoke him to delay the processing. Ask questions in different ways rather than asking directly.
11. Rework your first RTI draft: Always revise your first RTI query in respect of questions and other components of the application. Most of the time in haste we miss to mention crucial information or commit silly mistakes, resulting in waste of 30 days as the PIO thoughtfully replies on the 30th day, which is absolutely right as per the rule, stating that the application is incomplete.
