A quick post for an important point.
Access to information is often referred to as “necessary for a healthy democracy,” or the “foundation of an informed citizenry.”
I think both of those things are true, but I would assert that notion more strongly. Broad access to public information is a precondition for sound policy, responsive government, and civic engagement.
With insufficient information, correct decisions and well-founded debates only arise through chance. For sound policy, procedure, or evaluations, data and history are more than background; they fully determine our options. Without broad access, our agency (our ability to be agents) — our ability to be voters, lawmakers, judges, candidates, council members, family or community members — is reduced from full agents to that of mere subjects. (Literally, as though subjects under a monarch.)
Insofar as the Internet grants all of us agency (written about at such much at length for electoral campaigns), our agency is only possible insofar as our choices, analyses, and narratives are well reasoned and well sourced. The legitimacy of the blogger, especially, is based almost entirely on the legitimacy and trustedness of the information source.
For strong public analysis, policy debate, or media criticism, information access and transparent government are more than a vitamin supplement to keep you well, they’re more like the ground we should walk on.
Make a Suggestion
1 response so far ↓
Gary // Jan 10, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Still working late I see…
Love this:
“With insufficient information, correct decisions and well-founded debates only arise through chance. For sound policy, procedure, or evaluations, data and history are more than background; they fully determine our options. Without broad access, our agency (our ability to be agents) — our ability to be voters, lawmakers, judges, candidates, council members, family or community members — is reduced from full agents to that of mere subjects. (Literally, as though subjects under a monarch.)”
And thereby the reason we blog!
Which, btw, mine is active once again!
Matt Shaner is after the House seat…And that I simply can’t ignore.
Leave a Comment