ROLE OF INFORMED

CITIZENS IN GOOD
GOVERNANCE
Presented by
Yasoob Zehra, Kiran
Shoukat,
Nida Ditta
Presented to
Ms Zamurrad Awan
 INTRODUCTION
A 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 POINTS
1. 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.

3. 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 opinion
Media 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