More Open Government

Perhaps one of the most important statements made by the Chief Minister since the General Election is that the Government “will be far more open to the populace than before.”

He made the statement on Tuesday this week while informing local reporters about some of the recent decisions taken by the Executive Council. Mr. Fleming’s promise is welcome news. Not only will this commitment help to make the work of the media easier, but it will serve the interest of the people better by making available current information for all and sundry.

Over the years successive Governments have mistakenly kept the public ignorant of important information because of negligence on the part of those at the top who should be the dispensers in the first place. Lack of information usually leads to misunderstanding, mistrust, rumour, conjecture and confusion. All of this spell frustration to a people waiting to be informed on matters than in some way concern them.

In some cases Governments in the past have paid dearly for this and the Anguillian community has suffered much from what amounted to a denial of its right to know. These are enlightening times and more and more people are seeking information either to satisfy their curiosities or simply to

know what is happening. An informed people can be very supportive of Government’s plans and programmes if they are involved in matters of interest to them or at least told about them and given an opportunity for feedback if necessary.

Government should consider establishing a strong Public Relations Office providing ready information to the public through feeder links with the various media houses on the island. The work of such an office must not function simply to whitewash the Government, but to develop a steady flow of information to the community through press releases, interviews, radio talks, media briefings and so on. Such an office can function in close cooperation with, and strengthen, the already established Department of Information and Broadcasting.

This new approach to information dissemination will lead to more open, transparent and democratic Government. The enormous publicity benefits to the Government itself and the general public will worth the effort and perhaps the hard, diligent work and commitment it will require.