The Role of Information in Improving Development & Governance

Sahr KpundehWorld Bank Institute

Overview of Presentation Information and Governance

-- economic perspective-- governance perspective

Information and Development-- transparency and corruption-- information and accountability-- information and efficiency

WBI’s Media, Information and Governance Program Components-- Media and Information Environment-- Public information capacity-- Media institutions and Capacity-- Development Journalism-- investigative Journalism

Conclusion:

A Steep AscentA Steep Ascent & A Difficult ClimbA Difficult Climb

Creating Freedom of Information

The ‘Dividend’ of Good GovernanceInfant Mortality and Corruption

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Weak Average Good

Control of Corruption x Development Dividend

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Weak Average Good

Regulatory Burdenx Development Dividend

Per Capita Income and Regulatory Burden

Literacy and Rule of Law

0

25

50

75

100

Weak Average Good

Rule of Law xDevelopment

Dividend

Per Capita Income and

Voice and Accountability

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

Weak Average Strong

Voice and Accountabilityx Development

Dividend

Note: The bars depict the simple correlation between good governance and development outcomes. The line depicts thepredicted value when taking into account the causality effects (“Development Dividend”) from improved governance to betterdevelopment outcomes. For data and methodological details visit http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/governance.

Civil Society Oversight•Open Hearings•Monitoring•Access to Information•Freedom of the Press

Good

GovernanceAccountability of Political Leadership•Disclosure•Inspector General/Anti-Corruption Agency•Campaign Finance

Civil Service•Pay•Meritocracy•Client Information

Customs Reform•Tariff Simplification•Professionalization•Reduce Discretion

Financial Management•Comprehensive Budget•Transparency•Procurement Reform•Independent Audit

Economic Policy•Deregulation•Privatization•Competition Policy

Reforms for Improving Governance & Combating Corruption

Rule of Law

•Independence from Executive

•Upgrade Staff Training and Laws•ADR Mechanisms

Perspectives on Information

Economic perspective Information about prices More efficient markets

Governance Perspective Information about functioning of public officials Transparency, accountability Better allocation of public resources Information as tool for empowerment

Information from Economic Perspective Information as a public good

Responsibility of the government to make information available to citizens about economy/markets – publication of data and statistics

Decreases uncertainty in the market. Hence decreases volatility and improves macroeconomic environment

Information & Development Government’s design sound economic and social policies and

implement policies more effectively Private business/individuals make better choices in private

markets Business/individuals evaluate choices and make better choices

in public/political markets Hold private and public actors accountable by:

--affecting reputation

-- allowing to monitor with a view to devise penalties and rewards

Media’s role in development Media as Gatekeeper

News filter, determining what public knows Agenda-setting, shaping public discourse Mediator between leaders and public, influencing national

debate Media as Public Watchdog

Informs public about issues affecting their wellbeing Media as Public Conscience

Platform for citizen voices Provides feedback on public perceptions of public and

private sector leaders’ performance

Information & Governance

Transparency & Corruption – Watchdog role Transparency in Government decisions, public

expenditures, and transactions is key to averting corruption

Transparency in the award of contracts and licenses is key to making them fair and open

Information on public officials in the media provides a useful check on the discretionary exercise of authority

Information & Governance Transparency & Policy makers – The provision of information begins to inform by revealing the actions

of policymakers. Making the consequences of those actions known on a timely basis,

including through the efforts of academics, analysts and social activist, makes evaluation and monitoring possible, with an associated rise in the contestability of ideas.

As new information on both actions and consequences becomes widely known, the quality of the public debate can improve, with new ideas proposed, and the prospect of holding the government accountable coming into focus.

In so far as citizens can be motivated to raise their level of participation, the scope for public advocacy increases, and communication with the government becomes a two-way flow, generating further demands for more reliable information on economic, financial and institutional processes and outcomes.

1

3

5

Low Middle High

Extent of Transparency

Transparent Information by Government

Effective Parliamentary Oversight

Corporate Ethics

Annual GDP Growth (%)

Transparency and GDP Growth

Source: Annual GDP growth over 1999-2001 is taken from WDI 2002; GDP is computed in PPP terms. The various transparency / governance variables drawn from Executive Opinion Survey, 2002.

Information & Governance Information and Accountability: Gatekeeping role

Increases political accountability if politicians have to make information public

Increases internal accountability of public officials if they are required to regularly report to policymakers

Increases social accountability since citizens can monitor actions of bureaucrats and delivery of services, and participate

Especially important to participation and accountability by local governments

Information & Governance Information & Efficiency: Information transmitter

Increases efficiency if information is effectively managed and shared between government departments

Important for businesses to function effectively, and for a more stable macroeconomic environment

Improves accessibility to public services if information about them is easily available

Information Institutions & Flows

MediaCitizens

Civil SocietyPrivate sector

Voice & Participation

Information

Government

Central Ministries

Local/Municipal Bodies

Legislatures (Central & Local)

InformationInformation

Checks & Balance

Information & Governance

Politicians/Policymakers

CitizensBureaucrats

Del

egat

ion

and

Voic

e

Del

egat

ion

and

Voic

e

Polit

ical

Acc

ount

abili

ty

Polit

ical

Acc

ount

abili

ty

Delegation of

Delegation of

Implem

entation

Implem

entation

Internal Accountability

Internal Accountability

Public Goods and ServicesPublic Goods and Services

Client Power/Social AccountabilityClient Power/Social Accountability

Information

Information

Info

rmat

ion

Info

rmat

ion

InformationInformation

Challenges Two broad sets of functions need to work well

for this information triangle to work well: The first comprises the processes for ensuring

the production and dissemination of good quality information to underpin civic discourse.

The second comprises the capacities for analysis, interpretation, debate and advocacy within civil society.

Development Effectiveness of Media Impact of media on development determined by:

Autonomy: the industry’s ability to report information without undue fear of being penalized

Access to information: the ability of the citizen to obtain information in the possession of the state freely and non-selectively

Reach: consumer access to a media source’s information services

Quality: the access to and capacity to objectively analyze basic economic, social and political information for news value and truth

WBI’s Media, Information & Governance Program

Needs Assessments, Learning workshops and programs to build capacity in client countries

Target groups: legislators, government information officials, media professionals, civil society

Partners: Local research institutions, media training institutes, international donor partners

WBI’s Media, Information & Governance Program Five Modules

Public Information Capacity

Media Institutions and Capacity

Investigative Journalism

Development Journalism

Media & Information Environment

Media and Information Environment

Many countries have Secrecy laws – Official Secrets Act Conflicts between FOI law and Secrecy laws Freedom of Information Law is a relatively new

phenomenon in many countries FOI law provides exemptions, procedures for requests and

outlines obligations of public officials for disclosure Provides guarantees against denial of information Also includes freedom of expression Enforcements Mechanisms: Information Commissioners;

Ombudsman

Public Information Capacity

Even in the presence of FOI law, government agencies need the capacity to make information public

Information as a public good. Obligation of public agencies to provide information about citizen rights and entitlements

Press Information Departments fulfill this function Limited capacity for information management, processes

for information flows Need for both structural solutions – technology for better

information management, capacity for dissemination, publications etc.

Public Information Campaigns

Public Information Capacity Importance of the architecture of information - to ensure that

the information that is collected is comparable and accessible. Integrated financial management information systems - to

track the use of money within the government. - used in Tanzania, and being implemented in many other African countries.

Computerized audits - to ensure comparability of information on the use of public money across years and to enhance accessibility - used in South Africa. Implemented in Ghana.

Mobilization of non-governmental groups in information gathering - use of service delivery surveys in Uganda and India.

Media Institutions & Capacity

Mass media are important intermediaries of public information

Political Economy of Media Ownership Political Influence & Independence of the Media Financial Autonomy Media Management Independent media – Print, Community radio,

Internet

Development Journalism

The Role of the Media in Development Reporting on Poverty Public Service Obligations of Commercial Media State media and Development Balancing Commercial and Public Service

Interests Quality and impact of good reporting

Investigative Journalism

Reporting and Writing Skills Research Skills Media Ethics Dealing with political pressures Uncovering Corruption

Thank You

Q&A and

Discussion