Transparency in governance: A comparative study of right-to-information legislation in India, Indonesia and Nigeria
| Author | Hanspreet Kaur |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/20578911221109852 |
| Published date | 01 December 2022 |
| Date | 01 December 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Theoretical Endeavors |
Transparency in governance:
A comparative study of right-
to-information legislation in
India, Indonesia and Nigeria
Hanspreet Kaur
Christ University, India
Abstract
This article discusses how the Right to Information Act in India, Nigeria and Indonesia can have an
influence on ensuring transparency and accountability in the government system. The acts pertain-
ing to the right to information in these three countries were implemented after long proceedings
and deep struggles. The article looks at the legislation on the right to information in these three
countries, the factors that motivated each of them to adopt the legislation, the implementation of
the Right to Information Act, the challenges faced during the passage of the Act, the scope of
coverage of the provisions of the Acts of all three countries, exceptions to the information dis-
closed to the public and problems faced during implementation from the government’s side and
the user’s side. The article concludes with a summary of the arguments and key policy
recommendations.
Keywords
accountability, corruption, disclosure, government, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Right to Information
Act, transparency
Introduction
A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a Prologue to a
Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean
to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. (Barry and Madison,
1822: 1)
Corresponding author:
Hanspreet Kaur, Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, Christ University, Hosur Rd,
Bhavani Nagar, S.G. Palya, Bengaluru, Karnataka 140603, India.
Email: hanspreet.kaur@isph.christuniversity.in
Theoretical Endeavors
Asian Journal of Comparative Politics
2022, Vol. 7(4) 1282–1296
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/20578911221109852
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