Political Transparency: Social Media Reducing Government Corruption

The 2010 Edelman Trust Barometer reports that transparent and honest practice are the most important factors in determining a corporation or governments reputation. In recent years, many governments have worked to increase openness and transparency in their actions. Information and communication technologies are seen by many as a cost-effective and convenient means to promote openness and transparency and to reduce corruption (Bertot, Jaeger & Grimes, 2010).

Mattozzi and Merlo assert that in politics, transparency is used as a means of holding public officials accountable and fighting corruption (2007). When a government's meetings are open to the press and the public, its budgets may be reviewed by anyone, and its laws and decisions are open to discussion, it is seen as transparent, and there is less opportunity for the authorities to abuse the system for their own interests. Piotrowski (2007) lists four channels through which government transparency occurs: proactive dissemination by the government; release of requested materials by the government; public meetings; and leaks from whistle blowers.

One way which Australian political leaders practice transparency is through the ABC’s live coverage of Question Time from the House of Representatives in Parliament House, Canberra. The House of Representatives has a number of important functions that citizens are able to view. It determines the government, debates and passes laws, watches over government administration and expenditure, and provides a forum for public debate on issues of national importance (Parliament of Australia, n.d.).

E-government has also been used in many prominent, comprehensive transparency efforts in a number of nations, including Australia (Bertot, Jaeger & Grimes, 2010). Information communication technology can reduce corruption by promotion good governance, strengthening reform-orientated initiatives, reducing potential for corrupt behaviours, enhancing relationships between government employees and citizens, allowing for citizen tracking of activities, and by monitoring and controlling behaviours of government employees (Shim & Eom, 2008, cited in Bertot, Jaeger & Grimes, 2010, p. 265).

Information and Communications Technology Strategy, 2012-2015^{6 5}outlines the benefits that come from a strategic and coordinated approach to developing and using information communication technologies in Australian Government agencies. The Australian Government’s support for openness and transparency in Government has three key principles:

• Informing: strengthening citizen’s rights of access to information, establishing a pro-disclosure culture across Australian Government agencies including through online innovation, and making government information more accessible and usable;
• Engaging: collaborating with citizens on policy and service delivery to enhance the processes of government and improve the outcomes sought; and
• Participating: making government more consultative and participative.

 

References

Bertot, JC, Jaeger, PT & Grimes, JM 2010, 'Using ICTs to create a culture of transparency: E-government and social media as openness and anti-corruption tools for societies', Government information quarterly, vol. 27, issue 3, pp. 264-271.

Mattozzi A and Merlo A, 2007. ‘The Transparency of Politics and the Quality of Politicians,’ American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 97(2), p. 311-315, May.

Parliament of Australia, n.d., ‘House of Representatives’ accessed 9 February 2014 <http://www.aph.gov.au/house/>.

Piotrowski, S. J. 2007, Governmental transparency in the path of administrative reform. SUNY Press: New York.