Policy on disclosure of public information stressed

29 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Metro Desk

ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman speaks at the inaugural session of a training session on 'Right to Information' organised by the Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) at a city hotel yesterday. On his right is ACC Deputy Director Nasim Anwar and on his left is MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman. Photo: MRDI

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Ghulam Rahman yesterday stressed the need for a policy on disclosure of public information to ensure the people's right to information as well as to protect the rights of the persons accused of corruption. Such policy is very important, as premature disclosure of information sometimes can create scope for media trial and curtail the rights of the accused, he said at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day training for ACC officials on the Right to Information (RTI) law at a city hotel. Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) organised the training with support from USAID PROGATI, aiming to guide the ACC officials on the use of the RTI law in disclosing information to the public. The ACC chairman said the people have the right to information but there are also rules that protect the right not to disclose certain information. Nobody should be termed 'corrupt' unless the charge is finally proved in the court, he added. He also said transparency and accountability are two vital elements of good governance which can be ensured through free flow of information. Ghulam Rahman said the training would help the ACC officials properly implement the RTI law and provide the people with required information. MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman in his opening remarks mentioned the challenges in implementing the RTI law. Enforcement of the law is slow because of lack of awareness, he said. Twenty senior ACC officials are taking part in the training. A total of 100 ACC officials will be trained in five phases under the programme.