RTI IN REPORTING CHILD RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND POLICY INTERVENTIONS: A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS

Abstract

The Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 plays a prominent role in exposing critical social issues to the public domain via news media. RTI by journalists and activists over the years in India has ensured legal and policy-level interventions to a more significant extent. This paper deals with the case of media exposure of child marriages in Tamil Nadu using RTI intervention by a child rights activist. In an environment where girls are fighting for equal rights, they are being affected directly and indirectly by several forms of human rights violations. This paper is a case study analysis of the role of RTI in ensuring the government initiates action on the socially vital issue of prevention of child marriages. The case study taken for research is based on the RTI filed by child rights activists in Tamil Nadu, the subsequent media coverage of the issue, followed by policy-level intervention by the state. It describes the effectiveness of RTI data as a secondary source in news production towards state response, ensuring transparency and accountability of the state.

(Keyword: Right to Information (RTI) Act, Media and RTI, Child Marriage Prohibition Act 2009, Girl Child Rights, Child Welfare, Social problems, Social Awareness News, Tamil News Reporting)