Right to Information and State Secrecy: A Balancing Approach in Democracies
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The Right to Information (RTI) plays a pivotal role in ensuring good governance, accountability and transparency in a society. Despite its advantages, permitting unrestricted access to sensitive data can lead to adverse consequences, especially concerning the matters related to secrecy of a state. Executive actions often prioritize state secrecy, potentially hindering the efficacy of the RTI. The RTI and state secrecy intersect with each other and appear adversarial; promoting one may turn down the other. Resolving this conflict requires a balancing and proportional approach enabling public functionaries to minimize the conflict by striking a balance between RTI and other rights. This article revisits the nexus between RTI and significance of the state secrecy, analyzing the conflict between them. To provide a comprehensive understanding, it includes experiences and case studies from different democratic jurisdictions. Contrary to the common perception, the article concludes that RTI and state secrecy are not inherently contradictory or inharmonious; rather, both are integral to democratic norms and effective functioning of a society. The State secrecy must be carefully specified to ensure democratic accountability. Responsible use of discretion by public functionaries regarding RTI can enhance governance and strengthen public trust in governmental institutions.
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