How open do you want your government?
‘INCREASINGLY governments around the world are experimenting with initiatives in transparency or “open government”,’ the Reuters Institute wrote in a report on the role of media in political transparency.
Alderney is among those experimenting. Earlier this year the island launched a brave trial to start to hold committee meetings, as well as States meetings, in public, in a bid to enhance transparency and openness of political machinations in the island. This at a time when the island simply can’t find enough people wanting to stand for public office. (The same applies in Sark.)
A good idea? Surely. The problem – nobody (outside of the media) turned up. So the experiment has been axed.
Guernsey has made similar efforts. Opening States Assembly and Constitution Committee meetings to the public once seemed like a good idea but those meetings have descended into navel-gazing or comedy (burgundy Wranglers, anyone?).
Broadcasting Scrutiny panel hearings live on YouTube has had very limited appeal and has been openly criticised by at least one deputy as a waste of money.
As much as people want transparency and openness in their politics, they generally want reassurance that it is there, not to have to seek it out themselves. Which reinforces the role of the media in satisfying the public that governments are being held to account.