I believe that a guarantee of public access to government…
“I believe that a guarantee of public access to government information is indispensable in the long run for any democratic society… if officials make public only what they want citizens to know, then publicity becomes a sham and accountability meaningless.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Transparent access to government data is essential for democracy; without it, accountability is superficial and meaningless.
In simple terms: Open data is vital for true accountability.
Key Takeaway
Demand full disclosure of public information.
Themes
democracy
transparency
accountability
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- activism
- citizen oversight
- government reporting
Key Concepts
public policy
information ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies enforce genuine transparency?
- What safeguards prevent selective disclosure?
A Different Perspective
If officials control information, public trust erodes.