Question

How can information be used as a tool for or against governments?

Answer 1

'Information' in common words is a set of data or knowledge having facts and figures that helps us to know more about something.It has a wider arena that provides us the deeper understanding of different aspects of individuals,society and nation.It plays a very very crucial and integral role to play.In any country there are two major stakeholders,the public and the government.And information about each other is very important.The public should know much about the government functioning and the government should have knowledge about its subjects and ground realities of its countrymen.The same set of data can be used for and the against the government.In todays,highly advanced modern world,data are considered to be the modern day treasure.

Today most of the country's around the world are moving towards the democracy and the public is central to the govt. which is provided with the responsibility to maximize public welfare.This is only possible when the government has proper information about its country and its people.Using these policies government can make more efficient and effective plans,programmes and policies for the development of its people.The government has a huge responsibility to deal with large number of issues like law and order,civic welfare,science and technology,security concerns,budget and much more.The prime concern or duty of any government is the welfare of the nation and its people.So it must should have information about every individual and ground realities,so that its policies can address the concerns and the challenges of the people.This way the government would be able to deliver its duties more properly.It can establish coordination among individuals,organisations,institutions and authorities etc. to achieve the desired goal.It makes the government more accountable and legitimate and minimises corruption.It ensures transparency in its operations.

At the same time the people should also have information about government functioning as it will help to expose the illegal and wrong deeds of the government authorities and make it more answerable to the govt.Today this information has proved to be the most important and effective weapon against the malfunctioning of the governments that empower the every single citizen.

At the same time we need to be cautious while dealing with information issues.As in today's world access to information for the authorities is resulting in a number of abuses and misuses that violates the privacy of the general public causing harm and harrasment in many ways,so we need to keep the issues in mind.Also the rising concerns for cybersecurity has proved to be great challenge for governments around the world to deal with.