Freedom of information lessons from India: Collaboration, co-production and rights-based agenda building

This research analyzes the process and culture of right-to-information agenda building among non-state actors – journalists, social activists, and civil society organizations in India. The research, which began at the 10-year anniversary of the Indian Right to Information Act, includes in-depth semi-structured interviews with study participants (N = 111) from across the country. Findings indicate that collaboration and co-production among these groups were the strongest factors in media agenda building around an information rights–based approach. Characteristics of collaborations and co-production include rights-oriented language, compelling metanarratives and symbols, information and accountability ‘politics’, large-scale events, inclusiveness, and news outlet/civil society organization branding projects.