issue108

hshansongUID: 2358850

108"In many countries it is now possible to turn on the television and view government at work. Watching these proceedings can help people understand the issues that affect their lives. The more kinds of government proceedings—trials, debates, meetings, etc—that are televised, the more society will benefit."
提纲:
1.televised proceedings 能提高政府执政的透明度 有助建立良好的政府形象
2.也是有力监督政府的工具
3.并不是所有的gevernment proceedings 都可以televised

I strongly agree that the more kinds of government proceedings-trails,debates,meetings,and so on that are televised, the more society will benefit. Nevertheless, some government proceedings involved crucial and confidential information are not necessarily to be televised.

To begin with, access to government proceedings through television can increase the transparency of government proceeding and contribute to build a favorable government's image. Through television,the commons, even if those who live in remote regions, can more clearly and directly view how government proceedings operate and understand the issues that government concerned and the tendency of its policies. The process of transparent government polic can also improve the understanding between citizens and government. For instence, during the period of SARS, television is the fastest channel for the public to view government's work about controling and reducing epidemic situation and to know the newest situation of SARS. It plays an important role to help government build a good image to the public through television.

In addition, television also offer an effective means to allow the society as a whole to supervise the government.Society can use media tools such as television to evaluate government's works and fulfilled tasks, forcing them to carry on their responsibilities and obligations.Moreover, it can also guard against corrupton and unwarrantable actions in the government proceedings. For example, the Watergate scandal in the United States,1970s, reported by television and radio, directly forcing the president Nixon to claim abdication by taking charge of the whole event. And ex-president Bill Clinton had to admit his fault of sexual scandals during his career of president, because of television report.

Nevertheless, in some sense, it means not all government proceedings should totally be broadcasted for the public,especially crucial and confidential ones.If the governors disclose the government’s strategies for thwarting specific plans of an international terrorist or a drug trafficker, these would finally fail. Moreover, withholding  information might also be necessary to keep away from public unnecessary anxiety and panic.Thus, some crucial and confidential proceedings or information should not be televised in public.

In sum, we can conclude that television introduced into government proceedings has improved government's public image and propel society progress.However, government should necessarily withhold some crucial and confidential information to avoid certain hazards to society and maintain the stabilization of social development.