Using the media for good governance
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Ataul Karim
The caretaker government said many times right from the start of its tenure that it attaches high priority to a lively and functional press as it can have feedback from the press, needed for good governance. Whether the government has done what it said in this regard, is another matter.
But the media can make the tasks of the government -- no matter who are in power or not -- easier pointing out the problems that the people face in their lives. Paying heed to media criticism can surely improve governance in many areas. But somehow it is not happening because the concerned authorities pay much attention to what the press say about the activities or performances of their departments or ministries. Do the secretaries and advisers regularly go through the newspaper clippings, articles and editorial comments on the functioning of the departments and the ministries they run? How many corporation chairmen or departmental heads either care to read the newspaper clippings they get daily from their relevant personnel. If they did, they could take corrective steps on many issues, which they seldom do.
The government could gain, acting on newspaper information. They have marginal interest in knowing what newspapers or the other media have to say about their performance. And even less of interest to take action on the reports.
The advisers and secretaries who really have public service in mind should do well to advise their personal secretaries and the PR departments to regularly provide them with newspaper reports and comments about the departments and ministries. The advisers and the secretaries themselves should try and develop the habit of reading six or seven or more newspapers everyday and also watch the tv channels regularly. This would provide them with an idea of what is happening around.
The Prime Minister's or Chief Adviser's secretariat should go through newspapers to bring problem areas to the notice of the head of the government. The latter himself or herself does need to read more newspaper reports and watch the electronic media to increase awareness of issues needing action to improve governance.
Hardly any action is taken on investigative reports exposing corruption, underperformance or other its facing government organisations. The top officials should read media reports and comments on their departments for swift actions. Government must have a good enough system in place to get feedback from the media and to respond to them swiftly and adequately.
The caretaker government said many times right from the start of its tenure that it attaches high priority to a lively and functional press as it can have feedback from the press, needed for good governance. Whether the government has done what it said in this regard, is another matter.
But the media can make the tasks of the government -- no matter who are in power or not -- easier pointing out the problems that the people face in their lives. Paying heed to media criticism can surely improve governance in many areas. But somehow it is not happening because the concerned authorities pay much attention to what the press say about the activities or performances of their departments or ministries. Do the secretaries and advisers regularly go through the newspaper clippings, articles and editorial comments on the functioning of the departments and the ministries they run? How many corporation chairmen or departmental heads either care to read the newspaper clippings they get daily from their relevant personnel. If they did, they could take corrective steps on many issues, which they seldom do.
The government could gain, acting on newspaper information. They have marginal interest in knowing what newspapers or the other media have to say about their performance. And even less of interest to take action on the reports.
The advisers and secretaries who really have public service in mind should do well to advise their personal secretaries and the PR departments to regularly provide them with newspaper reports and comments about the departments and ministries. The advisers and the secretaries themselves should try and develop the habit of reading six or seven or more newspapers everyday and also watch the tv channels regularly. This would provide them with an idea of what is happening around.
The Prime Minister's or Chief Adviser's secretariat should go through newspapers to bring problem areas to the notice of the head of the government. The latter himself or herself does need to read more newspaper reports and watch the electronic media to increase awareness of issues needing action to improve governance.
Hardly any action is taken on investigative reports exposing corruption, underperformance or other its facing government organisations. The top officials should read media reports and comments on their departments for swift actions. Government must have a good enough system in place to get feedback from the media and to respond to them swiftly and adequately.