Global Sourcebook on Right to Information
Contents: Preface. 1. The right to information act, 2005. 2. National freedom of information act and bill. 3. Templates, training manuals and information to be published under RTI act, 2005. 4. Provisions of other relevant national documents/acts related to right to information. 5. The right to information acts of select states\'. 6. Right to information: international initiatives and standards. 7. International declarations and conventions relevant to right of information. 8. Regional organizations\' reports and declarations on access to information and freedom of expression. 9. American freedom of information and privacy acts. 10. Commonwealth member states\' laws, policies and papers on right to information. Bibliography. Index.
"Global Sourcebook on Right to Information is a complete reference book on the subject of freedom of information as a part of basic human rights. This is a very timely publication which will help and fulfil the national, regional and global aspirations in areas of access to information, freedom of expression and information. At the national level, right to information act, 2005 is covered in its totality, supported by earlier initiatives like the freedom of information act, 2002, and the freedom of information bill, 2000. Model templates, training manuals and informations required to be published by various government agencies under the RTI act are given. Similarly, other covenant national documents or acts focusing on right to information are presented, such as constitution of India, official secrets act, atomic energy act, medical termination of pregnancy act, Indian post office bill, RBI act, customs act, customs tariff act and customs valuation rules. At the federal state level, select RTI acts of Delhi, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are presented. However, at the international level, various initiatives and recommended standards are covered. Major international declarations and conventions relevant to scope of human rights are covered. Similarly, important regional organizations\' reports and declarations on access to information and freedom of expression are presented. The sourcebook also gives a comparative study of the American freedom of information act and privacy act. For further indepth understanding of globally ongoing national initiatives, the laws, polices and papers on RTI of Commonwealth member states are discussed briefly. In sum, this book provides the most comprehensive coverage and serves the purpose of being the first global sourcebook on right to information.
No doubt, in coming future, this particular 2005 RTI act would change many things in India, including people\'s perceptions about government agencies and their attitudes. The significance of access to information will be realized in very many sectors and streams of life and livelihood." (jacket)
