ROLE OF INFORMED CITIZENS IN GOOD

GOVERNANCE Presented by

Yasoob Zehra, Kiran Shoukat,

Nida DittaPresented to

Ms Zamurrad Awan

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONA functional democracy needs an informed citizenry and

empowered media, popular participation in policy making, a responsive state, and governing processes that are open,

transparent and inclusive to all legitimate interests

Improving relationships between citizens and their government means working simultaneously on state

responsiveness and effectiveness, citizen empowerment, and the accountability of elected officials and council

members.

Without transparency, citizen participation is poorly informed and less effective.

Without accountability, those in positions of power can

safely ignore the will of the people

INTRODUCTION

Without transparency, citizen participation is poorly informed and less effective.

This good governance brief focuses on the active role of citizens in local governance. Specifically, it highlights efforts being made by civil society to improve the delivery of public services through the multiple roles citizens play in service delivery:

as clients, as citizens advocating improvements, and as residents sharing in the provision of public services.

MEDIA AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

KEY POINTS1. Free, independent and plural media (radio, TV,

newspapers, internet etc.) provide a critical check on state abuse of power or corruption; enable informed and inclusive public debate on issues of concern to people living in poverty; and give greater public recognition to the perspectives of marginalized citizens.

2. Evidence shows that economic and political disincentives to public interest media are increasing.

KEY POINTS

3. Transforming the way that media relates to both governments and audiences is extremely challenging, but can best be accomplished through comprehensive media development interventions.

4. Economic and political disincentives to public interest media are increasing

WHY MEDIA IS RELEVANT FOR GOVERNANCE?

Democratic governance is about how citizens and state relate to each other….

Sustainable and successful democracies require more than elections, the existence of an

independent judiciary and other democratic institutions and even a free press

And media does much to determine the character of this relationship

Most people in most societies receive most of their information through the media. The media shapes in large part what people think of the issues and institutions that affect them. It is critical to the

formation of public opinionMedia issues have relevance to all aspects of

the governance framework

STATE CAPABILITY:Media can provide access to information that

enhances public understanding, as well as space for public debate

State Accountability: The public watchdog role of the media can

provide a critical check on government misuse of power or incompetence, and enable

citizens to demand good governance.

Citizens Can Be Informed Through The Following Sources: • Radio • Television• Internet• Cell phones• Hoardings and Pamphlets• Newspapers

To Keep Citizens Informed:

• They Should Be Educated To Some Extent

• The Education Must Includes:– Basic Reading and Writing Skills– Knowledge About the National and

International Affairs– Knowledge About Political Trends– Knowledge About Democratic Values

• The government officials should be accountable to the citizens in every matter..

When Citizens Are Informed:

• There Can Be Instability In Country Or A Particular Region Because of Aggression

• Whereas, A Good Piece Of Information Can Bring Stability In The Country Or Particular Region

Transparent Media

• Media Transparency is the concept of determining how and why information is conveyed through various means.

• In communication studies, Media is transparent when:

– There are many, often competing, sources of information

– Much is known about the method of information delivery

– The funding of media production is publicly available

• Aspects of transparent media include open source documentation, open meetings, financial disclosure statements, the freedom of information legislation, budgetary review, audit, peer review, etc.

KEY PLAYERS in making informed citizens:

STATE

PRIVATE SECTORS

CIVIL SOCIETY

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR MAKING

CIVIL SOCIETY

TRANSPARENCY: As a principle of good governance

Transparency and Inclusiveness

Transparency and Civic Engagement