DailyPost 2014
DEMOCRATIC COMMUNICATION LOGJAM!
Democracies should be the epitome of seamless commutation between it parts and within the parts themselves. It is most expected given the fact that we live in the information age, that slowly and steadily is basing itself on data. This would make communication much easier given the fact that the communication platforms are in place; seamless and instant, on all modes and with it ready availability of the critical and actionable data would add both to the value of communication and increase the capability to decide. It is very difficult to say, whether the main players of democracy have gained out of it. Are we better off in democratic communication today?
The democratic communication logjam is the best way to describe the state we are in. This is not to say that we were much better earlier, the way things are bounced in the media today, deliberately or otherwise gives us that feeling. Then the logjam with the citizens, who is generally at his wits end as to how he should interact with his own government to get his due. Abrasive communication is what he abhors, after all he in the sovereign and also at the receiving end of everything. The tragedy of the democratic communication is that all stakeholders feel that the citizens are outside their pale of communication.
Interpersonal relationship and responsive are at the core of smooth communication mechanism. Accountability has to be worked out on these two cardinal principles and not with these missing. Most of the times these are missing totally. Inside the organizations the same story continues. It gives a feeling that every individual or a group has his own model of democracy and he or she sticks on to it. At the intra-organizational level, we have a recent instance of four senior most judges of the Supreme Court addressing the unprecedented press conference. This speaks of the total communication logjam. The wisest legal brains and an insurmountable communication challenge within themselves.
The current spat between the executive and the judiciary is the epitome of the democratic communication logjam. Can’t there be no communication amongst democratic institutions but for the nature that is on public display. Besides that, even the normal written official communication seems to have the tenor of warring parties. It also is leaked. How does all this find a way into the public domain? Instead of easing communication, communication through public domain mediums can only accentuate the democratic communication logjam. The legislature sessions provide another pathetic representation of the end of democratic debate; a total legislative communication logjam. Public money is being squandered endlessly and for no purpose. There is a communication stalemate from the delivery perspective in our democratic state of affairs. Is there a way out?
CAN’T WE COMMUNICATE SENSE, REASON AND DATA THE OFFICAL WAY, IN A RESPONSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE MANNER TO ACHIEVE DEMOCRATIC GOALS.
Sanjay Sahay