Dr. Asangba Tzüdir
Dating the ‘Information Age’ to the early eighties when the internet came into operation and the computer had just been born, one can say, people around the world have become more well-informed since then. Today, in the so called age of information, the question is how ‘well-informed’ have we become and what exactly are people well informed about. Are people better informed about science and technology and various other fields of social science studies? Whatever the case, information and being well-informed should define our times. But in our case, ‘technology’ and ‘information’ is yet to come of age. It is here to stay but because of the ignorance to fully exploit its potentials and also its uses, we have not let it serve the real purpose. Rather, it has taken control over our lives and taking us through a merry ride in a virtual world, a testament that we are becoming less informed in this age of information.
This paper had carried a comprehensive three part series on the status of ‘Information Technology’ in the state and the status is indeed appalling. The case of the government websites clearly shows that it is poorly managed without being properly updated and thereby the masses are either ‘misinformed’ or ‘uninformed.’ It also sets a dangerous precedent because such inadequacies are bound to mislead the people especially those who access information from such websites. The not so serious attitude of the people towards these inadequacies and resigning to the present condition is also a sad reflection that we have not realised the importance and the need to be well-informed. But, it only shows how inadequate we are in this age of technology and information. On the other hand, it is also a reflection of how the government functions. The websites may be as good as dead but one is clearly aware of the many covert activities and the not so glorious ways by which things get done. As such, giving important information for general public consumption often becomes ‘hidden’ and ‘classified’ and by the time the ‘truth’ is revealed the matter is barked in social media but without sustaining it to the desired conclusion.
For a government that has been talking about good governance through transparency and accountability, and yet struggling to provide good governance, there are ways to ‘reach out’ to its citizens as a measure towards good governance. E-governance is one but the question is the ‘tech savvyness’ of our legislators. As the situation stands, there are only two plausible cases – it is either ignorance of proper usage or scared of interacting with the people on issues that concerns ‘developmental truths.’ The question of affordability does not arise here. There are various levels of governance, but whatever the case is, we are denied of a right to be informed coupled with our inability to pursue it which is more often compounded by the style of ‘covert functioning.’
On the other hand, technologies and the various medium which enable information are wide open but we have let technology and social media take control over our lives so much so that we rather enjoy ‘cheap and quick information’ while those hard information that not only broadens the spectrum of knowledge but also create a sense of awareness are seldom pursued. It is time that we realise the importance about the need to be both informed and well-informed and most importantly knowing what it means to be well-informed and about what.
(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
