International Encyclopaedia of Right to Information, Vols. I to III

Contents: Vol. I. Freedom of Information: Basic Tenets and Issues: Preface. 1. Information: what, why and how? 2. Role of communication. 3. Censorship and right to information. 4. Main pillars for ensuring freedom of information. 5. Right to information as human right. 6. Why official secrecy? 7. Statutory measures: a global view. Appendices. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

Vol. II. Right to Information in Global Perspective: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. RTI: some relevant factors. 3. International covenant on civil and political rights. 4. Access to Information Act (Canada). 5. Right to information in Australia. 6. RTI rules for Japan. 7. RTI in Brazil. Appendices. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

Vol. III. Right to Information in Developing World: Preface. 1. Developing world: an overview. 2. Major problems of developing societies and role of RTI. 3. Some prominent right to information activists. 4. Right to information in India. 5. Freedom of information legislation in other countries. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

"In the recent few decades, freedom of information has been recognized as an internationally protected human right and societies across the world have been moving away from opaque and secretive administrative systems to open and transparent systems. The right to information has been recognized as a fundamental human right, intimately linked to respect for the inherent dignity of all human beings.

This work, encyclopaedic in nature, is an attempt at portraying right to information in entirety at international level. Besides giving an elaborate description of all salient features, e.g. basic concepts, theories and practices, relevant statutes of many countries are also reproduced for reference. The vital information is gathered under the following main themes:

• Freedom of Information: Basic Tenets and Issues.
• Right to Information in Global Perspectives.
• Right to Information in Developing World.

No doubt, the valuable information compiled herein will delight and enlighten the users, be they academics, researchers, administrators, policy-planners, NGOs or social activists. The laymen will also find it as a guiding work."