Dhaka:The Information Commission Bangladesh has committed to operating independently and impartially to bolster democratic practices and ensure effective governance, without bias towards the government or the public.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Prof. Dr. Nahrin Islam Khan made this pledge during a briefing on the newly formed commission's 100-day action plan at its conference room in Agargaon. She emphasized the media's role as a crucial partner in maintaining the commission's independence and neutrality, noting that journalists are vital in building public trust in the institution.
Dr. Khan highlighted a manpower shortage, with the commission currently staffed by only 22 officials and employees against an approved strength of 76, despite operating from a 15-storey building. The commission's action plan includes organizing an 'Information Fair Week' at universities in late November to promote awareness of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, with plans to extend similar initiatives to schools and colleges.
The CIC announced that hearings on 95 of the 917 complaints accumulated over the past two years will commence on November 16, with over 200 new complaints received since the new commission took office. Additionally, the commission plans to provide training for journalists, content creators, and politicians, monitor websites of institutions receiving government or foreign funding, and introduce information disclosure policies at universities. Letters have been sent to university vice-chancellors concerning these policies.
Acknowledging past shortcomings over 17 years, Dr. Khan called for constructive criticism and collaboration from journalists to address ongoing challenges. Information Commissioner SAM Mahfuzur Rahman stressed the RTI Act's potential transformative impact on ensuring people's right to information and underscored the media's critical role in promoting transparency and accountability, particularly amidst risks of misinformation associated with AI and IT advancements.
Information Commissioner Khan Mohammad Abul Hossain noted the significant backlog of work from the commission's previous inactivity and outlined efforts under the 100-day action plan to address these issues. The briefing was attended by various officials from the Information Commission.