Editor — In the United States, we have what are known as “Sunshine Laws.”
These are statutes that require public bodies to conduct most of their business with public oversight. Deliberations and decisions are made available for public review and comment. At first glance, this might seem an intrusion into the efficient operation of government, but I would urge the skeptical to rethink that position.
This level of transparency is one of the best ways to enforce good ethical standards and practices in government. The public official who knows that he/she will be held accountable by the electorate for his/her decisions and actions will think twice before committing ethical lapses. Many of the political and economic scandals that have rocked the world in the past few decades were a result — often direct — of people operating out of the light of public scrutiny; who thought their actions would not be known by outsiders.
Unethical behaviour, like fungus, does not grow well under bright lights. Mold will wither under direct sunlight. Ethical misdeeds are hampered when they are subject to immediate exposure.
Transparency should not be used as a means to interfere with the proper functioning of government, there are some things that cannot be effectively done in a public forum (some, and I stress some, international negotiations, for instance); but a government should adopt the default position of full disclosure of any decisions or deliberations that impact on the lives of its citizens.
The most effective governments are a partnership between those who govern and the governed.
Transparency ensures that this partnership works to the best advantage of all parties.
Charles A. Ray
US Ambassador, Harare
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