FOI Videos
This collection of videos promoting freedom of information is drawn from the FreedomInfo.org archive, plus additional research and reader contributions. This list includes a variety of promotional videos, some inspirational talks and a few instructional videos. Generally avoided were lectures, news broadcasts and nation-specific educational material (possibly an area for a future archive). It is arranged chronologically (though exact dates are sometimes hard to determine). Suggestions for additions are very welcome. Write freeinfo@gwu.edu.
2016
Mexico: A success story in using FOIA requests in a campaign to create a bike path. Training by Fundar helped empower the organization Bcsicletos, as described in this video.
UNESCO: A world without information? Right to Information and SDGs, a UNESCO video on the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. “Press freedom and the right to information have a direct relevance to achieving Goal 16, specifically target 10, as it envisages the protection to the right to access information and journalists’ safety.”
India: Former information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi explains how to effectively use the Right to Information Act.
Venezuela: Transparency Venezuela promotes transparency legislation through this short audiovisual message (in Spanish).
Bangladesh: A 14-minute video, “Right to Information Power of Information,” by the Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI).
Brazil: Article 19 Brazil has a “traditional poetry video about right to information and right to water.”
Bulgaria: “I Have a Right to Know,” an 18-minute educational movie (Bulgarian with English subtitles) illustrating the stages in searching and obtaining information from public bodies under the procedures of the Bulgarian Access to Public Information Act. Produced by the nongovernmental group Access to Information Programme and a team of AGITPROP Ltd. within the AIP project “Enhancing the Capacity of Nongovernmental Organizations to Seek Public Information,” implemented by AIP with a grant under the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2009 – 2014.
Pakistan: A video drama (in Urdu) on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act 2013 has been uploaded by CPDI-Pakistan.
United States: An interview with the National Security Archive Director Tom Blanton to mark the July 4, 1966 signing of the Freedom of Information Act.
2015
Bahamas: A music video from the FOI campaign in the Bahamas.
Africa: “Accessing Information in Africa: It’s your right.” A video documentary produced for the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI) Working Group and funded by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
Italy: The coalition of pro-FOI civil society organizations has put out a video (in Italian).
Australia: Cool FOI posters, an infographic and Youtube animation from the Office of the Queensland Information Commissioner. See all here.
Ghana: A video documentary by advocates for the passage of the RTI Bill into law.
Latin America: The Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information presents a video: “Tools for Advocacy.” The video includes testimony by Alianza Regional members about the value of carrying out collective actions and the different strategies for advocacy. Watch the video here.
Latin America: The Access Initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean (Iniciativa de Acceso en América Latina y el Caribe) has developed a new series of videos highlighting the work of TAI in Latin America and the importance of access rights. Check out the videos: What purpose do access rights serve?, What is Principle 10 of the Access Declaration? and Towards a regional convention on Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration.
Mexico: A discussion on FOI sponsored by Global Voices. Speakers are: Marietta Le, journalist at Atlatszo.hu; Malou Mangahas, Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism; and Juan Tadeo, Independent blogger based in Mexico.
Pakistan: “Right to Information in Pakistan-A Historical Perspective,” a video by the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives.
Video: My Society issued a collection of four videos that were created after the AlaveteliCon in May. “They give useful insights into what it’s like to run an FOI site in all sorts of circumstances, and might inspire others to start their own!”
United States: It’s a Secret was created by OpenTheGovernment.org to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
Development Transparency: The power of information in development is addressed in this video.
United States: An animated video about the history of the US FOI law, entitled “On How Is That Even Legal?”
Nigeria: A short promotional video describing the FOI law and encouraging its use. Pigin version. Igbo version. Yoruba version
Arabic: An animated FOI video.
2014
India: “India Needs a Superhero,” a public service ad by Skylark Production, directed by Reema Sengupta.
India: A movie, Angusam, with an RTI theme by a director using one name, Manukannan. The jobless hero uses RTI to gather information on a corrupt minister.
India: An animated video by award-winning animation film-maker Dhvani Desai, produced by the film division of the central government, is to be was screened on Oct. 12, the eighth anniversary of the RTI Act, before being shown in theatres. Desai says that the idea for the film was born out of problems she went through herself. Every character is a worn-out citizen the system has failed. The film focuses on small issues like getting people their passports and ration cards without paying bribes.
Arabic: A UNESCO promotional video on the principles of access to information (in Arabic).
Nigeria: Explanatory videos on the FOI law by Right to Know Nigeria. Episode One. Episode Two.
United Kingdom: A instructional presentation aimed at education officials by the Office of the Information Commissioner.
Jamaica: A short video from the Jamaica Access to Information Unit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LFM-pNks48
Canada: “Canada’s Access to Information Act: An Epic Introduction.” A 15-minute video on Canada’s Access to Information Act, by Mark Weiler.
India: “How to fill an RTI Application form online?” A Hindi video by Kya Kaise.
India: “What is the Right to Information Act, 2005? What is RTI?” A Hindi video by Kya Kaise.
2013
India: The movie “The writing on the wall – RTI comes to Malav” is available online. In the Indian state of Gujarat, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and its partner, Nagrik Adhikar Kendra (Citizens’ Rights Centre) worked with local public authorities to transform a rural town into a model for the proactive disclosure of information. ‘The Writing on the Wall’ is a documentary film which follows their success in bringing RTI to Malav. You can now watch the full film on SARTIAN, South Asia’s leading RTI community and knowledge hub.
Philippines: A video by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Student Council.
United Kingdom: “Tick tock,” a FOI training video from the Information Commissioner’s Office to help make public authorities aware of their responsibilities under the Freedom of information Act.
India: “How to Apply RTI (Right To Information) Online in India” A video in Hindi done by Sridhar Nallamothu, Editor, Computer Era Telugu Magazine.
2012
India: “Power to the People” A 31-minute history and explanation by Carrot Communications written by Ishani Dutta and produced by Ashish Dutta.
Morocco: “Access to Public information: No more pacifiers !” In Arabic with English subtitles, this video supports passing an Access to Public Information law in Morocco notwithstanding the constitutional provision (Article 27). By Transparency Morocco. Version in Arabic with English subtitles. French version.
India: “Simple Steps to File an RTI Application”– A short video produced by the Media Information and Communications Centre of India for UNESCO.
Video Collection: The Right2Info website has a “RTI videos” page that lists 17 FOI videos from 2012 and before.
General: See a TED talk by Associated Press investigative journalist Martha Mendoza on the importance of open government.
General: A two-minute animated video from The Access Initiative of the World Resources Initiative describes the potential value of participation in the decision-making about a new highway. Sunita, a poor woman who faces the loss of her home and livelihood, shows us the value of access to information. By using information, Sunita is able to voice her concerns and participate in decisions which directly affect her environment.
United Kingdom. A TED talk by journalist Heather Brooke on using the FOI law to expose corruption.
2011
India: To create awareness on the Right to Information Act, It’s Time To Make a Difference (ITMD) released a short film Melukolupu. ITMD plans to screen the film in rural areas to create awareness on RTI among the lesser privileged sections.
United Kingdom: BBC FOI expert Martin Rosenbaum in a video providing tips on writing FOI requests, including being specific about dates and knowing which organization holds the information you’re looking for.
Indonesia: Jakarta Ketuk Pintu | Knock Knock Jakarta, documentary videos (with English subtitles) about the FOI Campaign. Director: Ucu Agustin. Done by the Tifa Foundation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDCPvUoNpqk (Part I)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1WB-1uWaOI (Part II)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37pUqwGT2lU (part III)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0KBXk-I18k (Part IV)
International: The Freedom of Information Advocates Network released a video, visual materials and a list of appropriate music to commemorate the upcoming Right to Know Day, Sept. 28. The video is available on the FOIAnet website and on youtube.com.
Mexico: A video documentary on FOI in Mexico is entitled ¿Qué Pasó con mi Dinero? / What happened to my Money?
Spanish version: http://www.fundar.org.mx/indicepresupuestoabierto2010/index.html
Version with English subtitles:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZSt25if4E&feature=related
2009
United Kingdom: FOIA The Pros and Cons. This somewhat disjointed by humorous video was done by The ONE show.
2008
United States: The Freedom of Information Act… And You.” Described as “A quick how-to (and how-not-to) guide to getting the info you need, with a comedic twist.” Credited to Rob Heidrick, a writer and editor now based in Texas.
2007
India: Awareness About RTI.” A video by Vikus Tandon; an Amity School of Communication presentation.
India: A music video. Janane ka haq is the anthem of the Right to Information movement in India. Janane ka Haq means Right to Know. This song underlines the importance of RTI in day-to-day life of an individual. This song is written, composed and sung by Vinay and Charu Mahajan.
2004
Scotland: Promotional video for the television launch campaign that accompanied the implementation of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, which came into force on the 1st January 2005.
Historic
India: “Power to the People,” the RTI story in a video.
United States: A 22-minute Pentagon video posted by Gawker. There’s a long explanation, but Gawker begins: In 2001, the Pentagon produced a strange training video, for internal use and at a cost of more than $70,000, designed to teach civilian and military employees how the Freedom of Information Act works. It was comically dumb, featuring a noir private detective in a hack Humphrey Bogart accent navigating a World War II-era spy scenario, occasionally looking to the camera and delivering FOIA-based tips. When researchers tried to obtain a copy under the FOIA itself, the Pentagon took 18 months to release it, and redacted portions.”