RTI Act’s Role in Investigative Journalism Explored

News Desk

Islamabad: The Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013, enacted by the Punjab Assembly, aims to enhance transparency within provincial authorities by ensuring citizens’ access to information.

Muhammad Anwar, Head of Programs and Administration at FNF Pakistan, highlighted how journalists can leverage the Right to Information (RTI) Act to strengthen investigative journalism and enhance the credibility of their stories.

Anwar was speaking at a two-day seminar organized by the Friedrich Nauman Foundation for Freedom (FNF-Pakistan) on Sunday. The seminar focused on empowering journalists with the tools to use RTI laws for investigative reporting and combating fake news.

Syed Raza Ali, Program Manager of FNF Pakistan, noted that access to information is guaranteed under Article 19-A of the Constitution and outlined that there are five RTI laws in Pakistan.

As the fourth pillar of democracy, journalists play a crucial role in utilizing the RTI Act to investigate and publicize information of public interest.

Ali emphasized that the RTI Act requires provincial public bodies to provide requested information within 14 working days. Should these bodies fail to comply, citizens can file complaints with the Punjab Information Commission, an independent appellate authority empowered to direct, summon, and penalize officials who obstruct information flow.

Ubaid Ur Rehman, a rights activist, stressed the importance of critical thinking in countering fake news. He urged journalists to adhere to professional standards and ethics, and to invest in fact-checking to mitigate the risks of misinformation, especially given the challenges posed by the internet and artificial intelligence.

Saeed Akhtar Ansari, former information commissioner of the Punjab Information Commission, encouraged journalists to exercise their right to access information for investigative stories. Uzma Kardar, PMA, concluded the seminar by urging journalists to utilize the RTI tool to combat fake news.

The seminar, attended by over 30 journalists, rights activists, and students, received praise for its efforts and led to calls for similar sessions to support young journalists in promoting investigative reporting.