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Critical
- Flow Model
Underlying Principle
The model is based on disseminating/ channeling information of critical
value (which by its very nature would not be disclosed by those involved
in bad governance) to the targeted audience (such as the media, opposition
parties) or into the wider public domain through the use of ICT and convergent media.
This model requires a foresight to:
-
understand the "use
value" of a particular information set,
-
how to obtain such
information,
-
how it could be used strategically, and finally
-
targeting it to users to whom
the availability of such information would make a difference.
The strength of this model
is that ICT makes the concept of 'distance' and 'time' redundant when
information is hosted on a a digital network, and this could be used
advantageously-- by instantly transferring the critical information to its strategic user group located anywhere or by making
it freely available in
the wider public domain.
Applications
This
model could be applied in the following possible ways:
-
Making available
Corruption related data about a particular Ministry / Division/
Officials online to its electoral constituency or to the concerned
regulatory body.
-
Making available
Research studies, Enquiry reports, Impact studies commissioned by the
Government or Independent commissions to the affected parties.
-
Making
Human
Rights Violations cases violations freely available to Judiciary, NGOs and concerned citizens.
-
Making available
information that is usually suppressed, for instance, Environmental Information
on radioactivity spills, effluents discharge, information on
green ratings of the company to concerned community.
Organisations / Projects
based on such models
-
India:
Central Vigilance
Committee
http://cvc.nic.in
The
website provides free-access information to citizens about
government officials who have been indicted on judicial charges
relating to corruption and have been advised penalty. People can
also file complaints against any public
servant who fall within the jurisdiction of the Commission. See
http://cvc.nic.in or
go to:
-
China:
Human Rights in China
http://iso.hrichina.org/iso/ Human
Rights in China (HRIC) is an international non-governmental
organization founded by Chinese scientists and scholars in March
1989. It strives to make information on human rights issues
accessible to the Chinese people through short-wave Chinese radio
broadcasts, overseas Chinese publications, and an evolving virtual
media hub on human rights.
See
Human Rights New section:
http://iso.hrichina.org/iso/news.adp
-
El
Salvador: Probidad
http://www.probidad.org/
Probidad
promotes democratization efforts vis-ˆ-vis diverse and integrated
anti-corruption initiatives, most which rely on the use of ICT and an
extensive network of contacts. The activities are designed to
monitor corruption and control mechanisms; mobilize awareness about
the complexities and costs of corruption and increased interest and
participation in curbing it; enhance the anti-corruption capacity of
other civil society organizations, media, government, business, and
researchers in our region; and contribute to more informed local and
context-specific measures that undermine corruption and promote good
governance.
Land is a major
resource and a reason for conflict in areas where pressure on land
is high. In developing countries, land related information such as
ownership maps etc. is available only in the hands of few which
increases the chance of its misuse. Land registration offices
throughout Andhra Pradesh now operate computerized counters to help
citizens to complete registration requirements within an hour
instead of several days, as was necessary under the earlier system.
The lack of transparency in property valuation under the old system
resulted in a flourishing business of brokers and middlemen leading
to corruption.
http://www1.worldbank.org/publicsector/egov/cardcs.htm
Discussions This
model is more directed and evoled in comparison to the Broadcasting
/ Wider - Dissemination Model. Different
organizations can use it differently depending on the aspect of
governance they situation they want to address. By focusing
on the critical aspect of information and locating its likeable users,
the model corrects information failure, raising awareness about the bad
governance practices, and acts as a hindrance to bad governance
practices. At the same time, the model exerts indirect
pressure on the concerned governance institution / policy-making body to
move away from optimal ignorance attitude to reform, and take into
cognizance the interest and opinion of the masses in decision- making
processes. The model
may not work in cases where the governance mechanism does not allow
public debates and opinions, and censures all information of critical
nature. This model unlike the Broadcasting/ Wider-Dissemination model
would be more effective in situations of Optimal Ignorance of the
Government. Optimal ignorance occurs when injudicious decisions
are taken not in the absence of availability of enough information but
because of disregard of information by the decision-makers.
Source
: Vikas Nath, Networking Networks
for Empowerment and Governance
Presented
at the Global Development Network 2000, World Bank, Japan.
Vikas
Nath, Conceiver, Digital
Governance and KnowNet Initiative
Inlaks
Scholar, London School of Economics, UK
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