Considering the persistent nature of the RTI activist and the public's right to information, how should you navigate the tension between national security concerns and the principles of transparency and accountability? Explain.

Balancing between transparency and national security by officials in Defence Ministry, requires prudence and wisdom, along with values of transparency. a Ethical issues and dilemmas: (1) Transparency vs national security. Transparency brings accountability, but sensitive information in public could lead to intelligence failure. (2) Culture of Opaqueness in government departments → as highlighted in Media One Case [2023]. (3) RTI being undermined → a fundamental right of citizens under Article 19(1)a. (4) Leakage of RTI query trails. From privacy laws in India, undermining right to privacy.

b Options available: (1) Telling media the truth about sensitive matter to avoid media bias. → Transparency in conduct. Public trust on Defence Ministry. c Options available to me: (1) Telling media the truth about sensitive matter to avoid media bias. Merits → Transparency in conduct. Public trust on Defence Ministry. (2) Transparency to Stake about Vapor RTI upd → Keeping it secret at the cost of self-respect.

— Ketan Shukla