Using IT to Promote Right to Information

This article discusses how the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has used information technology (IT) to promote the right to information in Commonwealth member states. The CHRI, according to author Mandakini Devasher, believes that "the right to information is fundamental for the realisation of economic, social, civil and political rights." She notes that at the time of writing 10 Commonwealth nations had passed right to information laws, which guarantee the public access to government information. This information, according to Devasher, can be used to:

• promote good governance and inclusive democracy;
• facilitate participatory development;
• support equitable economic growth; and
• bolster media capacity.

To leverage information to these ends, Deveshar argues that the internet is "a powerful media, enabling better coordination between governments, civil society organisations and individuals working on the right to information across the Commonwealth and its sub-regions," CHRI leverages information and communication technology (ICT) as a core component of their engagement strategy by:

• providing links to right to information resources and archives of right to information legislation;
• establishing and strengthening partnerships through information sharing and email; and
  
• publishing and circulating useful information in newspapers, journals, and newsletters.