RIGHT TO INFORMATION AND MEDIA IN KASHMIR A study based on the content pertaining to RTI in respect o our ne!

spapers na"e#y Greater Kash"ir$ Rising Kash"ir$ Kash"ir Ti"es and Kash"ir I"ages in the three "onths o %u#y$ Aug and Sept&

H'MERA ASHI( )*+,+-

Certificate

This

is

to

certi y

that

................................................................... Ro## No& ............................... bona ide student o the Depart"ent o /on0ergent %ourna#is"$ /entra# 'ni0ersity o Kash"ir has !or1ed under "y super0ision on the research o Master #e0e# Dissertation entit#ed ....................................................................................... .during se"ester third$ acade"ic year *+)2$ in partia# u# i##"ent o Masters in /on0ergent %ourna#is" through the /entra# 'ni0ersity o Kash"ir$ Srinagar& This study is origina# and has not been sub"itted be ore this or any other degree&

March *+), Super0isor Srinagar

Declaration

I$

..............................................................

Ro##

No&

.................................$ dec#are that the in0estigation$ assess"ent and ana#ysis docu"ented in this study !as carried out by "e during se"ester Third$ Session *+)2.*+),$ under the guidance o

.................................................................$ in part u# i##"ent o the re3uire"ents o Masters in /on0ergent through the /entra# 'ni0ersity o %ourna#is" Degree

Kash"ir$ Srinagar& No such

study4research$ as entit#ed here$ has been carried out any!here be ore this& Re erences$ attributions and in or"ation borro!ed43uoted ro" 0arious sources and 3uarters are du#y ac1no!#edged&

March *+), Researcher Srinagar

Signature o the

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It !ou#d not ha0e been possib#e to !rite this research paper !ithout the guidance and support o the peop#e around "e$ so"e o !ho" it is possib#e to gi0e particu#ar "ention here& Abo0e a## I !ou#d #i1e to than1 a#"ighty A##ah or gi0ing "e this strength to co"p#ete this research& I a" i""ense#y than1 u# to "y super0isor$ Assistant 5ro essor$ Dept& O /on0ergent %ourna#is"$ /'K$ Dr. John K Babu, or a## his guidance and instructions& This research

!ou#d not ha0e been possib#e !ithout his he#p and support and his specia# attention to "y research& I a" "ost grate u# to /oordinator 6Assistant 5ro essor7 Shahnaz Bashir$ and other acu#ty$ Assistant 5ro essors Asif Khan, Shams Imran, Ms. Archana Kumari and Ms. Sadaf Bushra or their he#p and 0a#uab#e suggestions !hi#e carrying on this research& I !ou#d #i1e to ac1no!#edge the support pro0ided 5ress In or"ation 8ureau$ Srinagar by pro0iding the necessary data or "y research &I !ou#d a#so #i1e to than1 the RTI "o0e"ent o the 0a##ey$ and its chair"an and ounder Dr Shei1h Ghu#a" Rasoo# or its assistance in carrying out the research&

March *+), Researcher Srinagar CONTENTS 1. -----------------------------------------------------------------2

Signature o the

Introduction

)&) Introduction& )&* 9hat:s RTI act; )&2 G#oba# 5erspecti0e& )&,& Nationa# 5erspecti0e& )&< %a""u and Kash"ir 5erspecti0e& )&= Media and RTI& )&> Need o the study;

2. Literature !e"ie# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------2.1 W$at%& Literature !e"ie#' 2.2 International Studie&. 2.( Studie& in India. 2.) Studie& in *a++u and Ka&$+ir

(. Met$odolo,-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(.1 W$at%& !e&earc$ Met$odolo,-' (.2 Met$odolo,- utili.ed. (.( !e&earc$ /ue&tion&. (.) O01ecti"e&.

(.2 !e&earc$ tool& and &ettin,. (.3 Sa+4le. (.5 Conclu&ion&.

). Anal-&i& of Data ---------------------------------------------------------6) ).1 Ta0le 1 ).2 Ta0le 2 ).( Ta0le ( ).) Ta0le ) ).2 Ta0le 2 ).3 Ta0le 3 ).5 Ta0le 5 ). Ta0le ).7 Ta0le 7 ).16 Ta0le 16 ).11 Ta0le 11 ).12 Ta0le 12 ).1( Ta0le 1(

2. Outco+e-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.1 Literature !e"ie#. 2.2 Met$odolo,-. 2.( O01ecti"e&. 2.) Sa+4le. 2.2 Tool&. 2.3 8indin,& 2.5 Conclu&ion 2. Li+itation& 2.7 !eference& 2.16 A44endi9.

Abstract RTI Act is a citizen centric legislation with the objective of appreciating the value of individual in the de ocratic apparatus. !edia" the reflection of societ#" is indispensable institution for the a$ing

asses cognizant at various aspects of RTI Act. %iving pertinent

space to this legislation" it has attested to its i perativeness in the present ti es. Topic of the research is &RTI and print edia'. The ethod

adopted is content anal#sis of four leading dailies na el# %reater Kash ir" Rising Kash ir" Kash ir I ages and Kash ir Ti es. Reference period is fro Jul#(" )*(+ to ,epte ber +*" )*(+.

All the newspapers have unifor l# lent space to news associated with RTI.

/hapter I Introduction

1.1 Introduction Education has a#!ays been an inno0ati0e sphere o hu"an inter0ention& Hu"ans need to educate and inno0ate their understanding o scienti ic$ socio po#itica#$ econo"ic$ and #egis#ati0e pheno"enon to continue their de0e#op"ent$ both at the indi0idua# and co##ecti0e #e0e#& In order to bene it ro" the institutions o education$ education itse# has to e0o#0e to 1eep up !ith the urge and i"pu#se to de0e#op& In this regard$ research has p#ayed a do"inant ro#e throughout centuries o hu"an e?istence& Research has pa0ed !ay or epoch "a1ing chapters in the history o hu"an inte##ectua# e0o#0e"ent& It has assisted in raising issues and aspects !hich ha0e pro0ed as pre"ise or de0e#op"ent and ad0ance"ent o understanding& The researcher$ 1eeping in 0ie! the i"perati0eness o RTI Act in the current de"ocratic pheno"enon has chosen RTI and Media as the topic or her research& The topic caters to the co0erage o RTI ne!s !ithin a speci ic ti"e period o the research& 1.2 W$at%& !TI Act' In the de"ocratic g#oba# order$ citi@en participation is critica#& As citi@ens$ the need o the hour in de"ocratic countries is not their in0o#0e"ent in the e#ectora# aspect but a#so on day to day basis. !hen decisions on po#icy$ #a!s and sche"es are being "ade and proAects and acti0ities are being i"p#e"ented& 5ub#ic in0o#0e"ent not on#y enhances the 3ua#ity o go0ernance but a#so pro"otes transparency and accountabi#ity in go0ern"ent unctioning& 8ut in rea#ity ho! decisions are being "ade; Ho! can ordinary peop#e ind out ho! ta? "oney is

being spent$ i pub#ic sche"es are being are being proper#y run or !hether the go0ern"ent is acting honest#y and air#y !hen it "a1es decisions; Ho! can go0ern"ent ser0ants be "ade ans!erab#e to the pub#ic they are supposed to ser0e; One o the !ays o enhancing pub#ic participation o pub#ic in the go0ernance is their in0o#0e"ent in the a airs o the go0ern"ent co"prehensi0e#y& In this regard in or"ation regarding the endea0ors o the go0ern"ent in day to day a airs needs to be put or!ard be ore the pub#ic& The coro##ary o this idea concei0ed the RTI Act in *++< in India&

:ISTO!ICAL ;E!S;ECTI<E

1.( Glo0al ;er&4ecti"e The ear#iest re erence to the Right to In or"ation is ound in S!eden !here in )>>= a con0ention o granting Right to In or"ation to a## its citi@ens !as passed& The accessibi#ity to in or"ation pertaining go0ernance has endea0ored in "a1ing S!eden the #east corrupt country as per Transparency Internationa#Bs Inde?& The 'N genera# asse"b#y passed a reso#ution in )-,C dec#aring reedo" o in or"ation as unda"enta# hu"an right thus recogni@ing peop#eBs right to ha0e access to o icia# in or"ation 6!hich is part o artic#e )- o the Internationa# /o0enant on /i0i# and 5o#itica# Rights 6I//5R7& Fi ty si? countries in the !or#d ha0e a#ready enacted acts pro0iding right to in or"ation inc#uding countries ro" North A"erica$ "ost o

the Europe$ /o#o"bia$ 5eru$ South A rica$ India$ Austria and Ne! Dea#and& O0er *< countries ha0e initiated the process to enact the Right to In or"ation #a! "ost o !hich are ro" South A"erica$ East A rica$ South East Asian$ so"e ro" Russian ederation& In the 'S$ the Right to In or"ation Act o )-== !as a"ended in )->, a ter the B9atergateB scanda#& It !ou#d thus be seen that the Right to In or"ation is a g#oba# pheno"enon& Most o the de"ocratic countries ha0e recogni@ed the Right to In or"ation in one !ay or the other& Internationa# e?perience sho!s that it can a#so be co.re#ated to de0e#op"ent& RTI Eegis#ation o other /ountries 6)7 Across the !or#d about <+ countries has guaranteed right to in or"ation as constitutiona# rights and C, countries has enacted right to in or"ation #egis#ation& This section co"prises right to in or"ation #egis#ation o di erent )< countries& The update !as "ade on August *+)+& RTI has 0ariab#e no"enc#ature in di erent countries& So"e o the tit#es o this #egis#ation in di erent countries is as under 1. ;ro+otion of Acce&& to Infor+ation act= 2666 - Sout$ Africa 2. T$e Acce&& to Infor+ation Act= 2662 > ?,anda (. 8reedo+ of Infor+ation Act= 17 2 > Au&tralia ). O4en Go"ern+ent Infor+ation !e,ulation&= 266 !e4u0lic of C$ina - ;eo4le%&

2. Acce&& to Ad+ini&trati"e Docu+ent Act= 17 2 > Den+ar@ 3. 8ederal Act on t$e ;rinci4le of 8reedo+ of Infor+ation in ;u0lic Ad+ini&tration A8reedo+ of Infor+ation Act= 8IAB= 2665S#it.erland

5. 8reedo+ of Infor+ation Act= 2662 > Ger+an. 8reedo+ of Infor+ation Ordinance= 2662 > ;a@i&tan 7. T$e !i,$t to Infor+ation Act= 2662 > India 16. Act on Acce&& to Infor+ation :eld 0- Ad+ini&trati"e Or,an&= 1777 > *a4an 11. La# of Tran&4arenc- and Acce&& to ;u0lic Infor+ation= 266( > ;eru 12. ;u0lic Infor+ation Di&clo&ure Act= 266 > Indone&ia 1(. 8reedo+ of Infor+ation Act= 2666 - ?nited Kin,do+ 1). 8reedo+ of Infor+ation Act= 2665- ?nited State& of A+erica 12. Act on Di&clo&ure of Infor+ation 0- ;u0lic A,encie&= 1773 Sout$ Korea

1.) National ;er&4ecti"e RTI Act in India has its roots in )-C* !hen or the irst ti"e that a ru#ing !as gi0en by the Supre"e /ourt to the e ect that BDisc#osure o In or"ation as regards the unctioning o Go0ern"ent "ust be the ru#e and secrecy an e?ceptionB& The step can be percei0ed$ psycho#ogica##y$ as a natura# coro##ary to the gagged years o the e"ergency& A#though #ac1ing a #egis#ati0e perspecti0e in their underta1ings$ "any nongo0ern"enta# organi@ations and acti0ists stri0ed or so"ething that cou#d assist the genera# pub#ic into ha0ing cogni@ance o the unctioning o the go0ern"ent&

In a !atershed e0ent$ in the a"ous case o Mr& Ku#!a# 04s %aipur Municipa# /orporation in )-C= the Supre"e /ourt ga0e c#ear cut directi0e that Freedo" o Speech and E?pression pro0ided under artic#e )- o the /onstitution c#ear#y i"p#ies Right to In or"ation as !ithout in or"ation the reedo" o speech and e?pression cannot be u##y used by the citi@ens& The Right to In or"ation #egis#ation has not !itnessed a spontaneous e0o#0e"ent& It has resu#ted ro" perse0erance o acti0ists and organi@ations !hose continuous e orts and "o0e"ents ha0e brought about this change& The a"ous Ma@door Kissa# Sha1ti Sanghatan "o0e"ent o RaAastan in May )--+ #ed by S"t& Aruna RoyF the atte"pts o Shri& Harsh Mander$ the then Di0isiona# /o""issioner o 8i#aspur 6M57 in )--= to thro! open the registers o E"p#oy"ent E?change and the records o pub#ic distribution syste" to the citi@ensF the agitation #ed by Shri& Anna Ha@are in Maharashtra in *++) as !e## as the agitation by an NGO in a s"a## p#ace #i1e 8hi#angana b#oc1 in Tehri Gadh!a# are e?a"p#es& So"e States #i1e Ta"i#nadu$ Goa$RaAasthan$ Maharashtra$ De#hi$ Madhya 5radesh$ Assa" and %GK had enacted their o!n Right to In or"ation Acts&6*7

!TI ACT O8 IN8O!MATION= 2662 RTI Act is de ined under the constitution as an Act to pro0ide or setting out the practica# regi"e o right to in or"ation or citi@ens to secure access to in or"ation to secure access to in or"ation under the contro# o pub#ic authorities$ in order to pro"ote transparency and accountabi#ity in the !or1ing o e0ery pub#ic authority$

the constitution o /entra# In or"ation /o""ission and State In or"ation /o""issions and or "atters connected there!ith or incidenta# thereto& :i&tor- of t$e Act In continuation o !idening the hori@ons o de"ocratic participation the Go0ern"ent o India$ appointed a !or1ing group under H& D& Shourie and assigned it the tas1 o dra ting #egis#ation regarding in or"ation to genera# pub#ic& The Shourie dra t !as the basis or the Freedo" o In or"ation 8i##$ *+++ !hich e0entua##y beca"e #a! under the Freedo" o In or"ation Act$ *++*& This Act !as se0ere#y critici@ed or per"itting too "any e?e"ptions$ not on#y under the standard grounds o nationa# security and so0ereignty$ but a#so or re3uests that !ou#d in0o#0e Hdisproportionate di0ersion o the resources o a pub#ic authorityH& There !as no upper #i"it on the charges that cou#d be #e0ied& There !ere no pena#ties or not co"p#ying !ith a re3uest or in or"ation& This Act$ conse3uent#y$ ne0er ca"e into e ecti0e orce& In *++<$ the 5ar#ia"ent o India passed the Right to In or"ation Act "to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizensH !hich !as "ore e?pansi0e in operation and app#icabi#ity than the a ore"entioned one& The act !as enacted on )< %une *++< and assented on ** %une *++<$ !hi#e the date o co""ence"ent stood )*.October.*++<& 'nder the pro0isions o the Act$ any citi@en "ay re3uest in or"ation ro" a Hpub#ic authorityH 6a body o Go0ern"ent or Hinstru"enta#ity o StateH7 !hich is re3uired to rep#y e?peditious#y or !ithin thirty days& The Act a#so re3uires e0ery pub#ic authority to co"puteri@e their records or !ide disse"ination and to proacti0e#y certain categories o in or"ation so that the citi@ens need "ini"u" recourse to re3uest or in or"ation or"a##y& It e?tends to a##

constitutiona# authorities$ inc#uding the e?ecuti0e$ #egis#ature and AudiciaryF any institution or body estab#ished or constituted by an act o 5ar#ia"ent or a state #egis#ature& It is a#so de ined in the Act that bodies or authorities estab#ished or constituted by order or noti ication o appropriate go0ern"ent inc#uding bodies Ho!ned$ contro##ed or substantia##y inancedH by go0ern"ent$ or non.Go0ern"ent organi@ations Hsubstantia##y inanced$ direct#y or indirect#y by undsH pro0ided by the go0ern"ent are a#so co0ered in the Act& Ho!e0er$ the e?tent o the act !as restricted or in or"ation pertaining to the security o the state !hich co"es under the O icia# Secrets Act )-*2 and other pertinent #a!s& 8esides$ the act does not inc#ude the territory o %a""u and Kash"ir !hich has an act o its o!n& 1.2 *CK 4er&4ecti"e %a""u and Kash"ir had passed RTI Act in *++, !hich !as a b#ueprint o the centra# Freedo" o In or"ation Act$ *++*& It had o##o!ing #i"itations 6)7 the #ac1 o an independent In or"ation /o""ission to hear appea#s and #e0y pena#ties 6they are current#y hand#ed by an ad"inistrati0e branch o the go0ern"ent$ the Genera# Ad"inistration Depart"ent7$ 6*7 #ac1 o pena#ties or "a#a ide re use to pro0ide in or"ation or unnecessary de#ays in pro0iding the sa"e$ 627 a #i"ited nu"ber o e?e"ptions$ 6,7 c#ear dead#ines or processing app#ications and appea#s&& The %a""u G Kash"ir Right to In or"ation Act$ *++- ca"e into orce on *+ March *++-$ repea#ing and rep#acing the erst!hi#e %a""u G Kash"ir Right to In or"ation Act$ *++, and the %a""u G Kash"ir Right to In or"ation 6A"end"ent7 Act$ *++C& The Act is based c#ose#y upon the /entra# Right to In or"ation Act$ *++<& Ei1e a## RTI

#egis#ation$ it is intended to pro0ided citi@ens a #ega##y "andate "echanis" or obtaining go0ern"ent records& 627

W$en t$e !i,$t to infor+ation ca+e into force' The %a""u and Kash"ir Right to In or"ation Act$ *++- ca"e into orce !ith e ect ro" *+th o March *++-& The Ru#es under the Act !ere ra"ed 0ide SRO )-= !hich !as issued on *+th o %u#y *++-&6,7 So"e o the di erent aspects o the RTI Act inc#ude the o##o!ingI. W$o can clai+ t$e !i,$t of Infor+ation' E0ery person !ho is residing !ithin the state o %GK has a right to see1 in or"ation under Section 2 o % G K Right to In or"ation Act$ *++-& W$at doe& infor+ation +ean' The in or"ation "eans any "ateria# in any or" inc#uding records$ docu"ents$ "e"os$ e."ai#s$ opinions$ ad0ices$ press re#eases$ circu#ars$ sa"p#es$ "ode#s$ data "ateria# he#d in any e#ectronic or" and in or"ation re#ating to any pri0ate body !hich can be accessed by a pub#ic authority&

W$at doe& !i,$t to Infor+ation +ean' The right to in or"ation is the right to see1 the in or"ation under % and K Right to In or"ation Act$ *++-&

W$at are t$e o0li,ation& of 4u0lic Aut$orit-' The ob#igations o the pub#ic authorities is to "aintain a## its records du#y cata#ogued and inde?ed in a "anner and the or" !hich aci#itates the right to in or"ation" pub#ish ru#es$ regu#ations$ instructions$ "anua#s and records$ detai#s o subsidiary progra""es run by it and #ist o bene iciaries o such progra""es$ na"es$ designations and other particu#ars o the 5ub#ic In or"ation O icers and disse"inate a## in or"ation that pertains to genera# pub#ic good&

W$at infor+ation i& e9cluded fro+ di&clo&ure'

The in or"ation !hich a##s !ithin the e?e"ptions pro0ided under Section C and Section - is not open to disc#osure& The e?e"pted in or"ation is broad#y the one that re#ates to so0ereignty$ integrity and security o State$ disc#osure o !hich "ay 0io#ate any court order$ disc#osure o !hich "ay cause breach o pri0i#ege o the 5ar#ia"ent or State Eegis#ature or /ause 0io#ation o inte##ectua# property rights etc&

I& t$e 4artial di&clo&ure allo#ed' I the in or"ation c#ai"ed contains so"e part !hich is e?e"pted ro" disc#osure under section C& In such a situation the e?e"pted part o

in or"ation is to be separated ro" the rest o the in or"ation& Therea ter$ the non e?e"pted part is disc#osed&

W$at doe& a D;u0lic Aut$orit-E +ean&' The pub#ic authority "eans any authority or body or institution o se# go0ern"ent estab#ished under #a! or inanced direct#y or indirect#y by the go0ern"ent&

W$o are t$ird 4artie&' The Third 5arty as de ined under Section * /#ause 6E7 "eans a person other than the /iti@en "a1ing a re3uest or in or"ation and inc#udes a 5ub#ic Authority&

W$o are ;u0lic Infor+ation Officer&' 5IOs are o icers designated by the pub#ic authorities in a## ad"inistrati0e units or o ices under it to pro0ide in or"ation to the citi@ens re3uesting or in or"ation under the Act& Any o icer$ !hose assistance has been sought by the 5IO or the proper discharge o his or her duties$ sha## render a## assistance and or the purpose o contra0entions o the pro0isions o this Act$ such other o icer sha## be treated as a 5IO&

W$at are t$e dutie& of ;IO%&' The re3uest or in or"ation has to be "ade to the 5ub#ic In or"ation O icer 65IO7 or Assistant 5ub#ic In or"ation O icer 6A5IO7& 9here a decision is "ade to pro0ide in or"ation then 5IO or A5IO has to in or" the app#icant to deposit urther ee representing the cost o pro0iding in or"ation&

In case the decision is "ade to !ithho#d the in or"ation re3uested or$ then $ 5IO is re3uired to in or" the app#icant about the sa"e !ith the particu#ars o )st Appe##ate authority and the ti"e #i"it or "a1ing such appea# i $ he chooses so$ to such authority&

W$at i& t$e a44lication 4rocedure for reFue&tin, infor+ation' The re3uest or in or"ation has to be "ade to the 5ub#ic In or"ation O icer or Assistant in !riting or through e#ectronic "eans in Eng#ish$ 'rdu or Hindi& A re3uest or in or"ation shou#d be acco"panied by an app#ication ee o Rupees Ten by !ay o cash receipt or Indian 5osta# Order or De"and Dra t or ban1ers che3ue payab#e to the Accounts O icer o the 5ub#ic Authority& The app#ication !ritten on non.Audicia# sta"p paper o Rupees Fi ty sha## be dee"ed to be acco"panied by the app#ication ee&

Ho!e0er$ no such ee is to be charged ro" persons be#onging to 8e#o! the 5o0erty Eine 685E7&

W$at i& t$e ti+e li+it to ,et infor+ation' The 5ub#ic In or"ation is re3uired to pro0ide the in or"ation re3uested as e?peditious#y as possib#e and in any case !ithin thirty days o the receipt o the re3uest&

W$at i& t$e fee' The ee has to be charged at the o##o!ing rateI

6a7 Rupees ten or each page 6A., or A.27 created or copied& 6b7 Actua# charge or cost price o a copy in #arge si@e paper& 6c7 Actua# cost or price or sa"p#es or "ode#sF and 6d7 For inspection o records$ no ee or the irst hourF and a ee o Rupees Fi teen or each subse3uent hour6or a raction thereo 7 6e7 For in or"ation pro0ided in dis1ette or #oppy Rupees Se0enty i0e

per dis1ette or #oppy and Rupees hundred per /&D& 6 7 For in or"ation pro0ided in printed or" at the price i?ed or such pub#ication or Rupees T!o per page or photocopy or e?tracts ro" the pub#ication&

Ho!e0er$ no ee has to be charged ro" persons !ho are be#o! the po0erty #ine&

W$at could 0e t$e ,round for re1ection' The reAection o the app#ication see1ing in or"ation can be "ade on the grounds as stated in Section C and -& The grounds on !hich the in or"ation can be denied are broad#y #i1e in or"ation !hich re#ates to so0ereignty$ integrity and security o State$ disc#osure o !hich "ay 0io#ate any court order$ disc#osure o !hich "ay cause breach o pri0i#ege o the 5ar#ia"ent or State Eegis#ature or disc#osure o !hich "ay cause 0io#ation o inte##ectua# property rights etc&

W$o are t$e A44ellate Aut$oritie&' The First appea# can be "ade !ithin a period o thirty days o e?piry o period !ithin !hich in or"ation is to be pro0ided or !ithin thirty days o receipt o such decision be ore First Appe##ate Authority or Head o the Institution&

The second appea# against the decision o the irst Appe##ate Authority can be i#ed be ore the State In or"ation /o""ission !ithin a period o Ninety days ro" the date on !hich the decision shou#d ha0e been "ade by irst Appe##ate Authority or !ithin a period o Ninety days ro" the day on !hich the decision o the irst Appe##ate Authority !as recei0ed&

:o# i& t$e State Infor+ation Co++i&&ion con&tituted' The Section )* o %GK Right to In or"ation Act pro0ides that %GK State In or"ation /o""ission sha## be constituted by issuing noti ication in the Go0ern"ent Ga@ette& W$at i& t$e eli,i0ilit- criterion and #$at i& t$e 4roce&& of a44oint+ent of State C$ief Infor+ation co++i&&ioner' Section )* 6<7 o %GK Right to In or"ation Act$ *++- re3uires that the State /hie In or"ation /o""issioner and the State In or"ation /o""issioner sha## be persons o e"inence in pub#ic #i e !ith !ide 1no!#edge and e?perience in #a! $ Science and Techno#ogy$ Socia# Science$ Manage"ent$ %ourna#is" $ Mass Media or Ad"inistration and Go0ernance&

The State /hie In or"ation /o""issioner and the State In or"ation /o""issioners can be appointed by the Go0ernor on the reco""endations o co""ittee consisting o /hie Minister$ Eeader o

Opposition in the Eegis#ati0e Asse"b#y and /abinet Minister to be no"inated by the /hie Minister&

Ho!e0er$ !here the Eeader o Opposition in Eegis#ati0e Asse"b#y has not been recogni@ed$ then$ the #eader o sing#e #argest group in opposition to Go0ern"ent sha## be dee"ed to be the #eader o opposition or the purpose o co""ittee o appoint"ent o /hie In or"ation /o""issioner or In or"ation /o""issioners& W$at are t$e 4o#er& and function& of Infor+ation Co++i&&ion' The State In or"ation /o""ission is the Appe##ate Authority& The second appea# against the decision o the Ist Appe##ate Authority can be i#ed be ore the State In or"ation /o""ission !ithin a period o Ninety days ro" the date on !hich the decision shou#d ha0e been "ade by Ist Appe##ate Authority or !ithin a period o Ninety days ro" the day on !hich the decision o the Ist& Appe##ate Authority !as recei0ed&The /o""ission has a#so a duty to recei0e and en3uire into a co"p#iant ro" any peson re#ating to "atters o Right to in or"ation&

W$at i& t$e 4rocedure of re4ortin,' The State In or"ation /o""ission is re3uired to prepare a report at the end o each year& The report is the" to be tab#ed be ore each house o the Eegis#ature by the Go0ern"ent&

W$at are t$e 4enalt- 4ro"i&ion&' The po!ers o the State In or"ation /o""ission are as underI.

6a7 9here 5IO is he#d gui#ty o not pro0iding the in or"ation !ithout reasonab#e cause or "a#a ide#y$ a pena#ty o Rs& *<+ or each day o de#ay subAect to the condition that a"ount o pena#ty sha## not e?ceed Rs& *<+++& Section 15A1B

6b7 %GK State In or"ation /o""ission can i the 5IO is he#d gui#ty o not pro0iding in or"ation$ reco""end or discip#inary action against the 5ub#ic In or"ation O icer under Ser0ice Ru#es app#icab#e to hi"& Section 15A2B

6c7 State In or"ation /o""ission can i it is satis ied that there are reasonab#e grounds to in3uire into a "atter and initiate an in3uiry in respect thereo & Section 12 A2B

6d7 The State In or"ation /o""ission sha## in3uire into a "atter ha0e a## the po!ers as are 0ested in a ci0i# court under ci0i# procedure code& It inc#udes su""oning$ en orcing attendance o person recei0ing e0idence and re3uisitioning any record and docu"ents& Section 13 A7B

6e7 State In or"ation /o""ission can i it appears that practice o a 5ub#ic authority do not con or" to the pro0isions or spirit o the Act then it can "a1e reco""endation speci ying the steps !hich ought to be ta1en or pro"oting such con or"ity& Section 22 A2B

6 7 The State In or"ation /o""ission can "a1e a rating o pub#ic authorities in respect o their "eeting the standards pro0ided under %GK Right to In or"ation Act$ *++- and the ru#es there.under& !ule (3 AiB

W$at i& t$e 1uri&diction of court&' The Section *+ puts a bar on initiation o proceedings be ore any court in respect o any order "ade under the Act&

W$at i& t$e role of CentralG State Go"ern+ent&' The ro#e o Go0ern"ent under %GK Right to In or"ation Act *++- is #aid do!n under Section *2 they areF.

6a7 The Go0ern"ent is re3uired to de0e#op and organi@e educationa#

progra""es as to ho! the rights conte"p#ated under the Act& 6b7 Encourage pub#ic authorities to participate in educationa# progra""es& 6c7 5ro"ote ti"e#y and e ecti0e disse"ination o accurate in or"ation by pub#ic authority& 6d7 Train pub#ic in or"ation o icers and produces re#e0ant training "ateria#& 6e7 5ub#ish a guide in o icia# #anguage o State in easy and co"prehensib#e or" or person4s !ho !ishes to e?ercise the rights speci ied in the Act& 6 7 5ub#ish obAects o the Act& 6g7 5ub#ish posta#$ street addresses$ phone$ a? and e."ai# address o 5ub#ic In or"ation O icer& 6h7 5ub#ish ee to pay in app#ications under Right to In or"ation Act&

W$o $a& t$e !ule +a@in, ;o#er' The Ru#e "a1ing po!er as per the Section *, o % G K Right to In or"ation Act *++- is 0ested in the go0ern"ent o %a""u and Kash"ir& The ru#es ha0e been ra"ed under SRO )-= and noti ied on *+th o %u#y *++-& W$o $a& t$e 4o#er to deal #it$ difficultie& #$ile i+4le+entin, t$e !TI Act'

The po!er to re"o0e the di icu#ties is 0ested in go0ern"ent under Section *>& Ho!e0er the order to re"o0e di icu#ties can on#y be "ade !ithin t!o years ro" the date o co""ence"ent i&e& *+th March *++-& Any order "ade or the re"o0a# o di icu#ties has to be #aid be ore each house o State Eegis#ature& Can #e file !TI in ca&e of +edia a,encie&' No$ !e cannot i#e RTI in case o "edia agencies in a direct !ay& Ho!e0er$ !e can procure such in or"ation ro" Director o In or"ation$ State in these cases& :o# +an- !TI& $a"e 0een filed in t$e afore&aid +anner; In the a oresaid "anner no RTIs !ere i#ed during the "onths that the researcher ocused on& Ho!e0er$ recent#y on < March$ *+), an RTI !as i#ed in the a oresaid "anner by a citi@en to procure in or"ation re#ated to "edia bans$ subsidies etc& Are +edia 4eo4le a#are of t$e !TI Act t$e+&el"e&' Jes$ near#y a## "edia peop#e !ere cogni@ant about the said act and percei0ed it as a too# or transparency in the ne!s "a1ing&

1.3 MEDIA AND !TI

The RTI Act !as a !atershed "o"ent in the history o the 0a##ey& It brought 0ast changes in the transparency and unctioning o the go0ern"enta# depart"ents as in or"ation !as a0ai#ab#e to a## or procure"ent& Media p#ayed its part as !e##& Since its inception "edia has assisted in its pub#icity a"ong the "asses& Many RTIs subse3uent#y pa0ed !ay or engaging ne!s stories #i1e Medica# Entrance e?a" scanda# etc& RTI beca"e a too# or pub#ic to put their stories across to "edia too& In the pre0ious years there has been e?tensi0e co0erage o RTI Act$ its acti0ists and incidents pertaining to it& It can be sa e#y assu"ed and attested that "edia has p#ayed its ro#e in its popu#arity in the pub#ic consciousness&

1.5 NEED O8 T:E ST?DH In present ti"es !ith the change in the dyna"ics o de"ocracy there is a need to docu"ent the rise o actors !hich are brining on this change& Media$ as "entioned be ore$ has p#ayed an i"portant ro#e to!ards institutiona#i@ation o RTI a"ong the "asses& Ho!e0er$ so ar no study$ both at the "icro and "acro #e0e#$ has been conducted 0is a 0is the co0erage o RTI in the print "edia& The researcher e#t a need to #in1 both the de"ocratic process and "edia& It can$ in the uture$ assist researchers conducting a research under this conte?t&

C$a4ter II LITE!AT?!E !E<IEW

)&) W$at i& a literature re"ie#;

A #iterature re0ie! is an e0a#uati0e report o studies ound in the #iterature re#ated to your se#ected area& The re0ie! shou#d describe$ su""ari@e$ e0a#uate and c#ari y this #iterature& It shou#d gi0e a theoretica# basis or the research and he#p you this #iterature& It shou#d gi0e a theoretica# basis or the research and he#p you are centra# to your area rather than trying to co##ect a #arge nu"ber o !or1s that are not as c#ose#y connected to your topic area&6<7 In the past$ research has been conducted in the direction o RTI !ith di erent 0ariab#es& So"e o these notab#e researches inc#udeI. 1.2 International &tudie& 1.!ai$an= A. and A$a+ed= S AIIIHearB &tudied the Right to In or"ation 6RTI7 Act in South Asia and it has seen "i?ed resu#ts& The sub.continentBs #argest country$ India$ has #arge#y pro0ed to be an

e?e"p#ar o RTI !ith a #ot o pub#icity and use ro" ci0i# society organisations and the pub#ic in cha##enging nationa# and regiona# ad"inistrations to re#ease in or"ation& The authors out#ine a nu"ber o cha##enges and o er so"e suggestion to i"pro0ing RTI in South Asia&

The success o RTI is c#ose#y #in1ed to the #e0e# o de"ocracy in a country& 9here de"ocratic practices are #ac1ing$ it is o ut"ost i"portance that the go0ern"ent is seen to be u##y co""itted to the idea# o RTI A paradig" shi t in the "ind.set o pub#ic o icia#s as !e## as citi@ens #ong used to subser0ient re#ationships !ith the authorities is a#so re3uired or the success o RTI

The #ac1 o a tradition o ru#e o #a! and the e?istence o a cu#ture o i"punity are detri"enta# to the pro"otion o RTI& The i"portance o 8ang#adesh using the pena#ty c#ause to bring reca#citrant

o icia#s to boo1 has been pro0en in India and to so"e e?tent in

The i"portance o NGO and "edia in0o#0e"ent in pro"oting RTI has been de"onstrated in India& The re#ati0e #ac1 o such in0o#0e"ent in 8ang#adesh$ Nepa# and 5a1istan is i"peding progress& E?change 0isits o "edia personne# and RTI acti0ists "ay he#p in this regard

Eac1 o

hu"an

resources in in or"ation

archi0ing and

"anage"ent has been a "aAor cha##enge or go0ern"ent and non. go0ern"ent institutions& 5ub#ic and pri0ate institutions need to o er post.e"p#oy"ent training progra""es on I/T.#ed in or"ation archi0ing and "anage"ent

/i0i# society organisations that !ere #eading the ca"paign or an RTI Act shou#d co"e or!ard !ith their o!n in or"ation and set e?a"p#es o transparency& This is particu#ar#y re#e0ant to countries such as 8ang#adesh and Nepa# !here NGOs ha0e been brought in to the pur0ie! o RTI and so are subAect to the sa"e scrutiny as go0ern"ent o ices&

1.( Studie& in India )& 5& /hitra)$ Dr& M& Nee#a"a#ar$ 5h&D& Research Scho#ar$ Assistant 5ro essor$ Depart"ent o Media Sciences$ Anna 'ni0ersity$ /hennai$ respecti0e#y$ ha0e conducted a research tit#ed 5rint Media Techno#ogy and Socia# /hangeI The Ro#e and E ecti0eness o Right to In or"ation 6RTI7 Act& In the said research the researchers ha0e re #ected on the i"perati0eness o RTI in the de"ocratic set up and the ro#e o "edia& The researchers ha0e conducted content ana#ysis and inter0ie!s and conc#usions ha0e been "adeI o##o!ing

According to the research$ "edia can "a1e a rea# di erence to the #i0es o poor and disad0antaged peop#e in the o##o!ing !aysI Ma1ing peop#e "ore a!are o their rights and entit#e"ents Enab#ing peop#e to ha0e access to go0ern"ent progra""es$ sche"es and bene itsF Ma1ing peop#e "ore a!are o po#itica# issues and options and he#ping to sti"u#ate debateF Educating the pub#ic on socia#$ econo"ic and en0iron"enta# issuesF Dra!ing attention to institutiona# ai#ings K corruption$ raud$ !aste$ ine iciency$ cronyis"$ nepotis"$ abuse o po!er and the #i1eF Fostering e?change o best practices$ 1no!#edge resources$ access to better techno#ogy$ and to better choices /reating pressure or i"pro0ed go0ern"ent per or"ance$

accountabi#ity and 3ua#ity$ or e?a"p#e in ser0ice de#i0eryF and 5ro0iding a discursi0e space or citi@ens to dia#ogue !ith other actors in the go0ernance process&

1.( Studie& in *a++u and Ka&$+ir

*& Ms& MaAa Daru!a#a and Len1atesh Naya1$ ha0e conducted a research or /o""on!ea#th Hu"an Rights Initiati0e 6/HRI7 in *++> !hich ocuses on the inade3uacies o the then RTI Act in % and K in the A"end"ent 8i##& The research tit#ed MAn Ana#ysis !ith Reco""endations or I"pro0e"ent: in conte?t o % and K RTI

A"end"ent 8i## *++>

ocused on the areas that needed critica#

conte"p#ation !ith regard to RTI Act in *++>& The research stri0ed to bring orth the #oopho#es and suggestions or o0erco"ing shortco"ings in the Act$ bac1 in *++>& So"e o the inade3uacies ound by the research bac1 in *++> inc#ude the o##o!ingI. )7 The prea"b#e o the Act did not c#ear#y spe## out its obAecti0es The opening #ine o the %GK RTI Act "ere#y stated that is NAn Act to "a1e pro0ision or securing right to in or"ationOP& The prea"b#e represents the sou# o a #egis#ation indicating its ai"s and obAecti0es& The /entra# RTI Act c#ear#y indicates the 0arious pub#ic interests that it ai"s to protect chie o !hich areI creating an in or"ed citi@enry$ "a1ing the Go0ern"ent and its instru"enta#ities transparent and accountab#e to the go0erned and contain"ent o corruption in pub#ic bodies& The prea"b#e o the /entra# RTI Act a#so recognises the e?istence o other pub#ic interests such as the e icient operations o pub#ic bodies$ opti"u" use o #i"ited isca# resources and preser0ation

o the con identia#ity o sensiti0e in or"ation& It indicates ho! these con #icting pub#ic interests are to be har"oni@ed K har"oni@ation "ust be underta1en 1eeping the de"ocratic idea# para"ount& The %GK RTI Act does not contain any such or"u#ation& The A"end"ent 8i## does not recti y this situation& *7 The High /ourt o %a""u and Kash"ir is not co0ered The High /ourt o %a""u and Kash"ir is not inc#uded !ithin the de inition the ter" Mpub#ic body: o the %GK RTI Act& The /entra# RTI Act does not app#y to %a""u and Kash"ir& There ore the High /ourt o %a""u and Kash"ir is not co0ered by that #egis#ation either& As a resu#t$ the High /ourt o %a""u and Kash"ir !i## not ha0e any responsibi#ity or gi0ing in or"ation under any #a! other its o!n ru#es and procedures& Access to in or"ation under these ru#es and procedures is #i"ited on#y to parties to any suit i#ed be ore the High /ourt& Other citi@ens !i## not be ab#e to access any in or"ation about the !or1ing o the High /ourt on the Audicia# or ad"inistrati0e side !ithout pro0ing locus standi& The "ain purpose o right to in or"ation #a!s is to gi0e citi@ens access to in or"ation he#d by pub#ic bodies or the si"p#e reason that they are pri"ary sta1eho#ders in a de"ocracy& Internationa# best practices re3uire e0en the Audiciary to be transparent& This is !hy the /entra# RTI Act re3uires the Supre"e /ourt o India a## High

/ourts and the subordinate courts to pro0ide citi@ens !ith access to in or"ation he#d by the" un#ess a statutory e?e"ption is app#icab#e& 8y #ea0ing the High /ourt out o the pur0ie! o the %GK RTI Act the State Go0ern"ent has restricted the unda"enta# right o citi@ens to access in or"ation ro" a constitutiona# body& The A"end"ent 8i## does not recti y this #apse& 2& De inition o in or"ation is inade3uate The e?isting 0ersion o the %GK RTI Act de ines the ter" Min or"ation: in Section *6e7 as "eaning Nany docu"ent or in or"ation re#ating to the a airs o the State or a pub#ic body&P The de inition in the /entra# RTI Act is "uch !ider and co0ers a !ho#e ga"ut o "ateria#s !hich 3ua#i y to be ca##ed Min or"ation: K this inc#udes records$ circu#ars$ "e"os$ e"ai#s$ #og boo1s$ contracts e"ai#s$ opinions$ press re#eases$ reports and "ode#s& In the absence o a co"prehensi0e de inition o the ter" Min or"ation: in this "anner$ bureaucrats are #i1e#y to deny access to "any categories o in or"ation !hose disc#osure "ay be incon0enient to their 0ested interests& There is a serious danger o the Act beco"ing restricted to pro0iding copies o on#y papers and docu"ents he#d by pub#ic bodies& The A"end"ent 8i## does not recti y this situation& ,7 5ri0ate bodies ha0e been #e t out The /entra# RTI Act recogni@es the right o citi@ens to see1 and obtain in or"ation about pri0ate bodies that a pub#ic authority can access under

any other e?isting #a!& This brings pri0ate bodies !ithin the a"bit o transparency re3uire"ents a#beit in an indirect "anner& 9hi#e they do not ha0e any direct ob#igation to pro0ide in or"ation to citi@ens$ go0ern"ent depart"ents and statutory bodies that ha0e regu#atory contro# o0er their a airs !ou#d be duty bound to disc#ose in or"ation that they ha0e #egiti"ate#y co##ected about the unctioning o such pri0ate bodies& In or"ation about pri0ate bodies is co##ected and "aintained by pub#ic bodies in the #arger pub#ic interest and citi@ens shou#d ha0e the right to see1 and obtain such in or"ation& The A"end"ent 8i## does not pro0ide or accessing in or"ation about pri0ate bodies he#d by pub#ic bodies in %a""u and Kash"ir&6=7

/HA5TER III METHODOEOGJ

(.1 W$at%& !e&earc$ Met$odolo,-' Research "ethodo#ogy is the process used to co##ect data and other types o in or"ation or use in gathering o in or"ation or research& E?a"p#es o this type o "ethodo#ogy inc#ude inter0ie!s$ sur0eys$ and research o pub#ications& A## o these types inc#ude the use o present and historica# in or"ation& 6C7

(.2 Met$odolo,- ?tili.ed Content Anal-&i&J /ontent Ana#ysis is described as the scienti ic study o content o co""unication& It is the study o the content !ith re erence to the "eanings$ conte?ts and intentions contained in

"essages& The ter" /ontent Ana#ysis is >< years o#d$ and 9ebster:s Dictionary o Eng#ish #anguage #isted it since )-=)& 6>7 The "ain ocus o the research is RTI "o0e"ent and Media& In the research$ the researcher used content ana#ysis as the "ain "ethodo#ogy o research& In this direction$ ne!spapers !ere used as the content or ana#y@ing the research topic& The said "ethodo#ogy constituted o ana#y@ing the content o our #eading dai#ies o the 0a##ey& These inc#uded Greater Kash"ir$ Rising Kash"ir$ Kash"ir Ti"es$ and Kash"ir I"ages& (.( !e&earc$ /ue&tion& 8esides$ in this research internet !as uti#i@ed or conducting the research& So"e o the 3uestions deri0ed ro" the research inc#ude 9hat is the percentage o RTI ne!s in Greater Kash"ir in the three "onths o the research; 9hat is the percentage o RTI ne!s in Rising Kash"ir in the period o the research; 9hat is the percentage o RTI ne!s in Kash"ir I"ages in the ti"e period o research; 9hat is percentage o RTI ne!s in Kash"ir Ti"es in the ti"e period o research;

(.) O01ecti"e&

The "ain obAecti0e o the research !as the space gi0en to RTI ne!s in the Kash"iri "edia& The research did not inc#ude the dyna"ics o re#ationship bet!een the t!o& It si"p#y ocused on the percentage o space in three "onths . %u#y$ August$ and Septe"ber& (.2 !e&earc$ Tool& and !e&earc$ &ettin, Research tool can be defined as the instru"ent in the hands o researchers to "easure !hat they indent to in their study& 6-7 /ode sheets !ere the "ain too#s in the conduction and tabu#ation o the research& /ode Sheet 62)Q 2+ Q2)7R , or each day 6each day S ) Rising Kash"irQ ) Greater Kash"ir Q ) Kash"ir ti"es Q ) Kash"ir i"ages7 S 2-C Nu"ber o ne!s ite"s on RTI pub#ished& S.N Su01ect of O anal-&i& Ne#& Storie& First Inside 5age 5age Fr Sp Fr Sp Editoria#s4 Artic#es Fr Eett er Sp I##us trati ons Fr

Space Fr

Go"t. ad+ini&trat ion NGOGOr,a ni.ation Acti"itie&Gfu nd& Act& and A+end+en t& ;olitical

<

>

4artie& RTI activists a. A#arene&& 0. ;rote&t& c. State land i&&ue& d. :u+an ri,$t& De"elo4+e nt a. Education 0. :ealt$ c. A,riculture d. Ecolo,e. Tran&4ort f. S4ort& Ot$er i&&ue& Total

FrI Fre3uency$ SpI Space (.3 Sa+4lin, Rando" Sa"p#ing !as the scienti ic "ethod used in the research& Rando" sa"p#ing is the process of collecting and analyzing only a

small representative portion of a larger group. Each item must have the same li elihood of !eing selected."#$% The sa"p#e si@e uti#i@ed or the research !as 2=C !hich e3ua#ed to the nu"ber o pub#ications by the concerned "edia agencies in the period o research& The o##o!ing agencies constituted research setting o the researchI Greater Ka&$+ir Greater Kash"ir is the pre"ier ne!spaper in the !or#d& It estab#ished as a ne!s !ee1#y in )-C> and in )--2 its pub#ication as ne!spaper started& It is edited by Faya@ Ah"ad Ka#oo and is edited on#ine by Arshid Ka#oo& Its subscription re"ains unpara##e#ed in the 0a##ey&6))7 !i&in, Ka&$+ir The Dai#y Eng#ish Ne!spaper ro" %a""u and Kash"ir ounded on )+th March *++C& Editor.in.chie I Syed Ra i.u.Din 8u1hari& EditorI ShuAat 8u1hari&6)*7 Ka&$+ir I+a,e& Dai#y Eng#ish ne!spaper pub#ished ro" Srinagar& Started in )--=& EditorI 8ashir Ah"ad Naya1& On#ine EditorI Asi Gu#&

Ka&$+ir Ti+e&

A dai#y Eng#ish ne!spaper pub#ished ro" Srinagar& Started as a !ee1#y ne!spaper in )-<, and then dai#y in )-=,& EditorI 5rabodh %a"!a#& On#ine editorI Anuradha 8asin&

(.5 Conclu&ion& Greater Kash"ir has "ost percentage in the pub#ication o RTI ne!s o##o!ed by Rising Kash"ir$ Kash"ir Ti"es& Ne!s re#ated to RTI acti0ists has been gi0en "ore space than others$ o##o!ed by ne!s re#ated to go0ernance etc& Third page ne!s !as ound to be "ore than other page co0erage:s&

(. <alidit- of t$e re&earc$ The 0a#idity o the research is 0ery crucia# or sustaining its argu"ent as a genuine outco"e& The researcher stri0ed to be as authentic in his research as possib#e& Gi0en the act that the research !as pure#y 3uantitati0e there !as no scope o any subAecti0ity on the part o the researcher& The research gi0es a si"p#e g#i"pse into the co0erage pertaining to RTI Act in the 0a##ey& (.7 Li+itation& )I The research !ou#d ha0e been "ore in or"ati0e i RTI acti0ists had cooperated in presenting their 0ie!s& *I No ho#istic inter0ie!s regarding RTI Act !ere conducted due to non cooperati0e spirit a"ong so"e peop#e&

2I No prior research !as done in this direction !hich !ou#d$ other!ise$ ha0e pro0ed bene icia# in the pursuit& ,I More than thirty dai#ies pub#ished in the 0a##ey$ out o !hich on#y our !ere se#ected or research purpose& <I RTI act is app#icab#e to a## the states o India !hi#e as on#y a speci ic area K Kash"ir !as se#ected or research purpose& =& Lie!s o socio#ogists !ou#d ha0e been bene icia# in the ro#e p#ayed by "edia in getting RTI into genera# consciousness& 'n ortunate#y$ the researcher did not co"e across any appreciab#e assistance in this regard

C:A;TE! I< Data Anal-&i&

Ta0le 1 Nu"ber o ne!s ite"s on RTI pub#ished in our ne!spapers in three Months 6%u#y$ August$ Sep& *+)27 S.N Su01ect of O anal-&i& Ne#& Storie& First 5age Fr ) Go"t. ad+ini&trat ion NGOGOr,a ni.ation Acti"itie&Gfu nd& 2 Act& and A+end+en t& ;olitical 4artie& RTI activists a. 2 < )<+ ) C, * ,< Inside 5age Sp Fr = Sp 22Fr Editoria#s4 Artic#es Eett er I##us trati ons Sp Fr

Space Fr

)*

, <

** , , )+

)-< *-=

, )

A#arene&& 0. ;rote&t& c. State land i&&ue& d. :u+an ri,$t& = De"elo4+e nt a. Education 0. :ealt$ c. A,riculture d. Ecolo,e. Tran&4ort f. S4ort& > Ot$er i&&ue& Total 2 ** 2, , ),< ) > C, * ,< C * , ) ) ,) *=+ -, >* 2

FrI Fre3uency$ SpI Space

Anal-&i& Ta0le 1I In three "onths "ore co0erage !as gi0en to RTI acti0ists o##o!ed by Go0ern"ent ad"inistration& On#y 2 stories re#ated to po#itica# issues !ere gi0en ront page co0erage& More space !as gi0en to ne!s re#ated to RTI Acti0ists 6A!areness$ 5rotests$ State #and issues$ Hu"an rights7 o##o!ed by po#itica# parties&

Ta0le 2 Ne!s ite"s on RTI pub#ished in Greater Ka&$+ir ne!spaper in three Months 6%u#y$ August$ Sep& *+)27 S.N Su01ect of O anal-&i& Ne#& Storie& First 5age Fr ) Go"t. ad+ini&trat ion NGOGOr,a ni.ation Acti"itie&Gfu nd& 2 Act& and A+end+en t& ;olitical ) )C 2 >, Inside 5age Sp Fr ) Sp <= Fr Editoria#s4 Artic#es Eett er I##us trati ons Sp Fr

Space Fr

)*

4artie& < RTI activists a. A#arene&& 0. ;rote&t& c. State land i&&ue& d. :u+an ri,$t& = De"elo4+e nt a. Education 0. :ealt$ c. A,riculture d. Ecolo,e. Tran&4ort f. S4ort& > Ot$er i&&ue& Total ) )C )+ 2>* * ) >* ) ) ), -C ) * ,=

FrI Fre3uency$ SpI Space

Anal-&i& ta0le 2J In Greater Ka&$+ir !ere tota# o )+ ne!s stories pub#ished on RTI$ +ore co"era,e #a& ,i"en to ne#& related to Act& and a+end+ent&= #$ile a& +ore &4ace #a& ,i"en to &tate land i&&ue&.

Ta0le ( Ne!s ite"s on RTI pub#ished in !i&in, Ka&$+ir ne!spaper in three Months 6%u#y$ August$ Sep& *+)27 S.N Su01ect of O anal-&i& Ne#& Storie& First 5age Fr ) Go"t. ad+ini&trat ion NGOGOr,a ni.ation Acti"itie&Gfu nd& 2 Act& and A+end+en t& ;olitical ) ,C ) ,) ) Inside 5age Sp Fr * Sp >< Fr Editoria#s4 Artic#es Eett er I##us trati ons Sp Fr

Space Fr

4artie& < RTI activists a. A#arene&& 0. ;rote&t& c. State land i&&ue& d. :u+an ri,$t& = De"elo4+e nt a. Education 0. :ealt$ c. A,riculture d. Ecolo,e. Tran&4ort f. S4ort& > Ot$er i&&ue& Total Anal-&i& ta0le (J ) ,C )+ ,<) , ) * ) *> )2= -, * 2 >C )

In Rising Kash"ir there !ere tota# o )+ ne!s stories pub#ished on RTI in !hich "ore co0erage !as gi0en to ne!s re#ated to RTI acti0ists$ !hi#e as "ore space !as gi0en to ne!s re#ated to state #and issues& Ta0le ) Ne!s ite"s on RTI pub#ished in Ka&$+ir Ti+e& ne!spaper in three Months 6%u#y$ August$ Sep& *+)27 S.N Su01ect of O anal-&i& Ne#& Storie& First 5age Fr ) Go"t. ad+ini&trat ion NGOGOr,a ni.ation Acti"itie&Gfu nd& 2 Act& and A+end+en t& ;olitical 4artie& RTI activists a. * >= ) C, ) 2+ Inside 5age Sp Fr 2 Sp *+C Fr Editoria#s4 Artic#es Eett er I##us trati ons Sp Fr

Space Fr

, <

* *

)-, C*

A#arene&& 0. ;rote&t& c. State land i&&ue& d. :u+an ri,$t& = De"elo4+e nt a. Education 0. :ealt$ c. A,riculture d. Ecolo,e. Tran&4ort f. S4ort& > Ot$er i&&ue& Total )+ <C= ) C, ) 2+ ) ) *=

Anal-&i& ).

In Kash"ir Ti"es there !ere tota# o )+ ne!s stories pub#ished on RTI in !hich "ore co0erage and space !as gi0en to ne!s re#ated to go0ernance o##o!ed by ne!s re#ated to po#itica# parties&

Ta0le 2 Ne!s ite"s on RTI pub#ished in Ka&$+ir i+a,e& ne!spaper in three Months 6%u#y$ August$ Sep& *+)27 S.N Su01ect of O anal-&i& Ne#& Storie& First 5age Fr ) Go"t. ad+ini&trat ion NGOGOr,a ni.ation Acti"itie&Gfu nd& 2 Act& and A+end+en t& ;olitical 4artie& RTI activists ) -* ) * *= =2 ) )< Inside 5age Sp Fr Sp Fr Editoria#s4 Artic#es Eett er I##us trati ons Sp Fr

Space Fr

, <

a. A#arene&& 0. ;rote&t& c. State land i&&ue& d. :u+an ri,$t& = De"elo4+e nt a. Education 0. :ealt$ c. A,riculture d. Ecolo,e. Tran&4ort f. S4ort& > Ot$er i&&ue& Total ) -* 2 C) )< )

Anal-&i& 2

In Kash"ir I"ages there !ere tota# o , ne!s stories pub#ished on RTI in !hich "ore co0erage and space !as gi0en to ne!s re#ated to RTI acti0ists&

Ta0le 3 Ne!spaper !ise Ne!s ite"s on RTI pub#ished in three "onths&

S N o ) * 2 ,

Ne!spape Ne!s Editoria Eetter I##ustratio rs storie #s s ns s Greater Kash"ir Rising Kash"ir Kash"ir Ti"es Kash"ir i"ages Tota# )) )) )+ , 2= ) + + ) + + ) ) * * , * ) -

Tota T # )2 )< ), = ,>

Ran 1

*>&+ 2rd C 2)&* Ist < *-&) *nd = )*&< ,th --&<

Anal-&i& 3

In t$e t$ree +ont$& !i&in, Ka&$+ir ran@& nu+0er one in co"erin, !TI i&&ue& A(1.22 KB follo#ed 0- Ka&$+ir Ti+e& A27.13 KB t$en 0Greater Ka&$+ir A 25.6 KB #$ile a& Ka&$+ir I+a,e& !an@& fourt$ A12.2 KB

Ta0le 5 Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to Go0t& ad"inistration S& No ) Fre3uency T Ne!s Stories = 6First G Inside 5age7 * 2 , Editoria#s Eetters I##ustrations Tota# Anal-&i& 5J Total ne#& ite+& related to Go"ern+ent ad+ini&tration #ere 3 #it$ ((7 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace + + ) = *= 2=< >&* )++ Space 22T -*&C

Ta0le Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to NGO4Organi@ation acti0ities4 unds S& Fre3uency T Space T

No ) Ne!s Stories ) 6First G Inside 5age7 * 2 , Editoria#s Eetters I##ustrations Tota# Anal-&i& Total ne#& ite+& related to NGO4Organi@ation acti0ities4 unds #ere onl- 1 #it$ 12 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace. + + + ) )* )* )++

Ta0le 7 Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to Acts and a"end"ents S& No ) Fre3uency T Ne!s Stories < 6First G Inside 5age7 * 2 , Editoria#s Eetters I##ustrations ) * )*&< *< C, ,< 2+&) )=&)* =*&< Space )<+ T <2&>

Tota#

)++

*>-

Anal-&i& 7 Total ne#& ite+& related to to Acts and a"end"ents #ere A2 &torie& L 2 letter L 1 editorial& B in nu+0er #it$ total 257 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace.

Ta0le 16 Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to 5o#itica# parties S& No ) Fre3uency T Ne!s Stories > 6First G Inside 5age7 * 2 , Editoria#s Eetters I##ustrations Tota# Anal-&i& 16 ) , )* C&2 22&, )< => <+) 2 )<&2 <C&2 Space ,)T C2&=

Total ne#& ite+& related to 5o#itica# parties #ere 12 A5 &torie& L 1 letter L ) illu&tration& B in nu+0er #it$ total 261 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace.

Ta0le 11 Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to RTI Acti0ists 6A!areness$ 5rotests$ State #and issues$ Hu"an rights7& S& No ) Fre3uen cy Ne!s Stories )> 6First G Inside 5age7 * 2 , Editoria#s Eetters I##ustrations Tota# , *) )-&+, -+ >C) ))&< --&T C+&Space =-) T CC&,

Anal-&i& 12 Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to RTI Acti0ists 6A!areness$ 5rotests$ State #and issues$ Hu"an rights7 #ere 21 A15 &torie& L ) illu&tration& B in nu+0er #it$ total 5 1 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace

Ta0le 12 Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to de0e#op"ent 6education$ hea#th$ agricu#ture$ eco#ogy$ transport and sports7

S& No )

Fre3uency T Ne!s Stories ) 6First G Inside 5age7

Space >*

T )++

* 2 ,

Editoria#s Eetters I##ustrations Tota#

+ + + ) >*

Anal-&i& 12 Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated de0e#op"ent 6education$ hea#th$ agricu#ture$ eco#ogy$ transport and sports7 #a& onl- one in nu+0er #it$ total 52 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace

Ta0le 1( Ne!s ite" on RTI re#ated to other issues S& No ) Fre3uency T Ne!s Stories + 6First G Inside 5age7 * 2 , Editoria#s Eetters I##ustrations Tota# + + + + Space T

Anal-&i& 1(

C$a4ter < Out co+e

2.1 Literature re"ie# So+e co++enda0le re&earc$ $a& 0een done in t$e a44lica0ilit- of !TI in t$e current 4olitical &et u4. T$e&e t$ro# li,$t on t$e critical nature of t$i& le,i&lation. Media= a& 4er t$e re&earc$ conclu&ion&= $a& and &$ould continue 4la-in, it& role in t$e en$ance+ent of under&tandin, of t$i& le,i&lation <&* Met$odolo,The "ethodo#ogy o the researcher !as based on content ana#ysis& The researcher ana#y@ed the pertinent #iterature or her research& The research !as 3uantitati0e ana#ysis& <&2 O01ecti"e& T$e o01ecti"e of t$e re&earc$ #a& t$e &4ace 4ro"ided 0- different ne#&4a4er& to !TI ne#&. T$e different 4ara+eter& of t$i& ne#& and t$e different &4ace& allotted 0- different ne#&4a4er& to t$e&e ne#&.

2.) Sa+4le

2.2 Tool&

<&= 8indin,&. 1. In t$ree +ont$& +ore co"era,e #a& ,i"en to !TI acti"i&t& follo#ed 0- Go"ern+ent ad+ini&tration. Onl- ( &torie& related to 4olitical i&&ue& #ere ,i"en front 4a,e co"era,e. More &4ace #a& ,i"en to ne#& related to !TI Acti"i&t& AA#arene&&= ;rote&t&= State land i&&ue&= :u+an ri,$t&B follo#ed 0- 4olitical 4artie&.

Analysis of Content Categories

34
35 30 25 20 15 10

r e b m u N

5 0

Front page Inside page Ediorials

Publications

C olumn2 C olumn2

 2.In Greater Ka&$+ir #ere total of 16 ne#& &torie& 4u0li&$ed on !TI= +ore co"era,e #a& ,i"en to ne#& related to Act& and a+end+ent&= #$ile a& +ore &4ace #a& ,i"en to &tate land i&&ue&. (. In !i&in, Ka&$+ir t$ere #ere total of 16 ne#& &torie& 4u0li&$ed on !TI in #$ic$ +ore co"era,e #a& ,i"en to ne#& related to !TI acti"i&t&= #$ile a& +ore &4ace #a& ,i"en to ne#& related to &tate land i&&ue&. ).In Ka&$+ir Ti+e& t$ere #ere total of 16 ne#& &torie& 4u0li&$ed on !TI in #$ic$ +ore co"era,e and &4ace #a& ,i"en to ne#& related to ,o"ernance follo#ed 0- ne#& related to 4olitical 4artie&. 2.In Ka&$+ir I+a,e& t$ere #ere total of ) ne#& &torie& 4u0li&$ed on !TI in #$ic$ +ore co"era,e and &4ace #a& ,i"en to ne#& related to !TI acti"i&t&. 3.In t$e t$ree +ont$& !i&in, Ka&$+ir ran@& nu+0er one in co"erin, !TI i&&ue& A(1.22 KB follo#ed 0- Ka&$+ir Ti+e& A27.13 KB t$en 0- Greater Ka&$+ir A 25.6 KB #$ile a& Ka&$+ir I+a,e& !an@& fourt$ A12.2 KB.

Newspaper wise News items on R TI publishe in three months!

35

30

2(!1) 31!25 2&!0' 12!51

10 14 4 0 1 5 0 0 1 4 0 0 2 * reater +ashmir R ising + ashmir +ashmir Times 1 2 13 15 ) 1 11 11

r e b m u N

25

20

15

10

News stories

" itorials

#etters Illustrations Total $ er%entage2&!0'

+ashmir Images

5. Total ne#& ite+& related to Go"ern+ent ad+ini&tration #ere 3 #it$ ((7 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace . Total ne#& ite+& related to NGOGOr,ani.ation acti"itie&Gfund& #ere onl- 1 #it$ 12 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace.

7. Total ne#& ite+& related to to Act& and a+end+ent& #ere A2 &torie& L 2 letter L 1 editorial& B in nu+0er #it$ total 257 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace. 16. Total ne#& ite+& related to ;olitical 4artie& #ere 12 A5 &torie& L 1 letter L ) illu&tration&B in nu+0er #it$ total 261 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace. 11. Ne#& ite+ on !TI related to !TI Acti"i&t& AA#arene&&= ;rote&t&= State land i&&ue&= :u+an ri,$t&B #ere 21 A15 &torie& L ) illu&tration&B in nu+0er #it$ total 5 1 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace.

 12. Ne#& ite+ on !TI related de"elo4+ent Aeducation= $ealt$= a,riculture= ecolo,-= tran&4ort and &4ort&B #a& onl- one in nu+0er #it$ total 52 colu+n centi+eter& &4ace.

,ominant Themes
3
3 2!5 2 2 2 3 3

r e b m u N

1!5 1 1 0!5 0 0 1 1 1

1
1 0

* reater +ashmir

1
1 1 0 0

R ising +ashmir +ashmir Times +ashmir Images

Themes

<&> Conclu&ion&

 Greater Kash"ir and Rising Kash"ir has "ost percentage in the pub#ication o RTI ne!s o##o!ed by Kash"ir Ti"es& Ne!s re#ated to RTI acti0ists has been gi0en "ore space than others$ o##o!ed by ne!s re#ated to go0ernance etc& Third page ne!s !as ound to be "ore than other page co0erage:s& So t and eature stories are carried rare#y RTI acti0ist:s stories do"inate other stories& In ter"s o space K "ore space !as gi0en to RTI ne!s re#ated to RTI Acti0ists 6A!areness$ 5rotests$ State #and issues$ Hu"an rights7 !hich is >C) cc"$ o##o!ed by po#itica# ne!s K <+) cc" !hi#e as #east space !as gi0en to ne!s re#ated to de0e#op"ent 6education$ hea#th$ agricu#ture$ eco#ogy$ transport and sports7 that is >* cc" and ne!s re#ated to NGO:s !hich is )* cc"& Most o the ne!s stories !ere !ithout i##ustrations& (ua#itati0e ana#ysis is "issing& T$e re&earc$er found t$at &u0&tantial &4ace $a& 0een 4ro"ided 0- ne#&4a4er& to t$e !TI ne#&. T$ere #a& not an- a44recia0le di&4arit- in t$e content and &4ace of t$i& ne#& in t$e "ariou& ne#&4a4er&.

<&C !eference&

<&- A44endi9 Researcher used the code sheet or data co##ection&

S.N Su01ect of O anal-&i&

Ne#& Storie& First Inside 5age 5age Fr Sp Fr Sp

Editoria#s4 Artic#es Fr

Eett er Sp

Space Fr

I##us trati ons Fr

Go"t. ad+ini&trat ion NGOGOr,a ni.ation Acti"itie&Gfu nd& Act& and A+end+en t& ;olitical

<

>

4artie& RTI activists a. A#arene&& 0. ;rote&t& c. State land i&&ue& d. :u+an ri,$t& De"elo4+e nt a. Education 0. :ealt$ c. A,riculture d. Ecolo,e. Tran&4ort f. S4ort& Ot$er i&&ue& Total

8ib#ographyI )4 ASourceJ $tt4JGG###.ccrine4al.or,Gre&ource&Grti-le,i&lation-#orldB

*4 6 SourceI httpI44!!!&i"g&1era#a&go0&in4docs4rti4rti.history&pd 7 24 9i1ipedia ,4 9i1ipedia <4 6!!!&#ibrary&c3u&edu&au4tutoria#s4#itre0ie!pages47 3G !ai$an= A. and A$a+ed= S. A B. MC$allen,e& of !i,$t to Infor+ation in Sout$ A&ia% -rotifolon A2B= IDS Kno#led,e Ser"ice& and t$e In&titute of Infor+atic& and De"elo4+ent AIIDB= Nan,lade&$ 5G SourceJ Content Anal-&i& A +et$od in Social Science !e&earc$ - N De"i ;ra&ad B. G A !a+ A$u1a= !e&earc$ +et$od&= Ha$oo An&#er&B 7G 6Ra" AhuAa$ Research Methodo#ogy$ Jahoo Ans!ers7 )+4 "&i i ans'ers( )ahoo ans'ers% ))4 9i1ipedia )*4 Faceboo1