Grounds for Rejection of RTI Appeal

The Right to Information (RTI) is a powerful tool that enables citizens to seek and receive information from the government. However, there are certain grounds that can lead to the rejection of an RTI appeal. In this article, we delve into these reasons and explain why certain information may be deemed eligible for exemption.

Exempted Information

There are several categories of information where an RTI appeal can be rejected based on specific exemptions. These include:

Security and Economic Interests: Information that affects the security and economic interests of the government with another country. Courts and Tribunals: Information that is banned from being published by any court or tribunal. Legislative Privileges: Information that would result in a breach of privilege of the Legislature. Commercial Interests: Information that would harm commercial interests. Trust Relationships: Information that arises because of a relationship based on trust. Foreign Secrets: Information from a foreign government that was given as a secret. Whistleblowers: Information that exposes whistleblowers or endangers lives. Criminal Investigations: Information that would cause difficulty to police investigation or arrests in criminal cases. Defence and Intelligence: Information of Defence and Intelligence and other Defence related and Intelligence related secrets. Personal Information: Personal information about any citizen.

Specific Grounds for Rejection

The reasons for denying an RTI appeal are not only restricted to the exempted categories but also include the following specific grounds:

Violation of Privacy

The privacy of an individual can be violated if the information requested relates to personal matters, such as medical records, financial records, and personal correspondence.

National Security Concerns

Information that could compromise national security, including details about secret operations, military strategies, and intelligence reports, can also be exempted.

Additionally, the denial of RTI appeals can be based on:

Economic Turmoil: Information that could cause turmoil in the economy, potentially affecting the lives of many individuals. Public Domain: Information that is already in the public domain, making it redundant to request it again. Public Official or Matter: Information related to someone who is not a public official or a matter that does not concern public interests.

Further Information

To explore these grounds for rejection in more detail, please refer to the following link:

_rej.pdf

Understanding the grounds for rejection of RTI appeals is crucial for citizens who wish to exercise their right to information effectively and responsibly. By familiarizing yourself with these exemptions and grounds, you can better navigate the RTI process and ensure that your requests are well-founded.