Editorial
The Truth about Openness
The Leader of Government Business, Hon.Kurt Tibbetts, has spoken on behalf of the new government, ofa new era of openness and transparency with the people of theCayman Islands.
To ordinary citizens, who at times harbour a latent mistrust ofgovernment, this must be a refreshing statement, one to whichhe will no doubt hold the government accountable over the nextfour years. It comes within the context of a populace that isbecoming increasingly more aware of what is happening around themand is far more strident in its demands for timely informationand consultation on the issues that affect them.
The new government's commitment to transparency signals the beginningof a partnership with the people, in the search for solutionsto issues concerning the governance of the territory. It is arelationship that Government and all its agencies will do wellto court. With the myriad of weighty local and international issuesfacing the islands, there will be tough decisions to make. Itis likely that such decisions will not all be popular and in somecases, their merits may not be apparent in the short term.
It is in these circumstances that the commitment to openness willbe tested. Both government and the people will understand thatit is not a policy to be pusued only in fair conditions, but musthold equally true during heavy weather. It will bring with itincreased criticism, more questions, debate, and along the way,greater understanding between the governors and the governed.
Government's role will not be simply to act first and later informthe people; it must also involve consultation with the people,prior to the decision-making process, in recognition of the realitythat expertise does not reside only with elected or appointedofficials. Where possible and practical, soliciting the people'spoint of view should be an integral part of government's communicationwith the people. Equally, people will have a responsibility tocommunicate with their representatives when called upon to doso.
The government's pronouncement suggests an understanding thatthere must be a new level in its relationship with the media -whether publicly or privately owned. As enterprises in the businessof information dissemination, the media will have a critical roleto play in helping the government keep its promise to the peopleand in turn, in helping the people to understand the government'sactions.
To this end, public officials at all levels must understand theimportance of timely and accurately responses to the media, andthat unless they are prepared to facilitate the press in thisregard, they cannot effectively play their part.
The media must at once be the watchdog on behalf of the people,diligently asking the questions and seeking out and presentingthe information to the people. At the same time, it must providea forum for people to express their views in the marketplace ofideas, thereby providing a useful gauge of the sentiments of thepeople, for those in government.
They will find in the times ahead that they can achieve far morewith an informed and educated populace.