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------题目------
It is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public.
观点:政治领导人应该根据信息的具体情况决定是不是向公众透露
1 知情权是公众权利
2 有些涉及国家以及大众安全的信息不应透露
3 政治领导人的私人信息,除财政收入信息外,还是不必透露的
------正文------
Is it often necessary for politicsl leaders to keep information as secret ? The answer of this question is not simple to say 'yes' or no", I agree that the political leaders should withhold information to some extent, because undue emphasis on withholding information is contrast to democratic principle. In my point of view, I decline that information should disclose to the masses selectively, some immediately , some in proper situation and suitable time.
First of all, laws endow citizen with the right of gaining politic information which refer to their intersets. In modern states, democratic principle endues the masses with rights to take part in public matter, and the precondition of using the public right accurately is people could know sufficient information. Any inaccurate information may lead to a undesired policy or a severe crisis. SARS, a fatal form of pneumonia, pervailed in China in 2003, for example. At the beginning of the public event, the Ministry of Health refuse to publicize the accurate data of the epidemic situation, which has been regarded as one of the most important reason causing the calamity. Subsequently Chinese government acknowledge the mistake and disclose the actual epidemic situation . When the masses knew the real situation , they had confidence to fight with this disease , at last China controled the prevalence of SARS. The instance of SARS reveals the importance of disclosing proper information concerning interests of the masses.
On the contrary, considering the pubilc safety and national security political leaders have to withhold some confidential information. If this kind of information, such as military secret, data of economic situation and some advanced scientific and technological information, is filched by opponents, national security and public interests will be threaten. Furthermore, in order to gain, and expend leaders' political power, and political influence, political leaders have to withhold some information. For instance, disclosing intelligence about terroristic activities may cause a panic in the public and escape of terrorists. Another example, in diplomatic negotiation any of diplomat's improper words may be harm to national interests, that is, disclosing less information to the opponent could increase bargain chip. Until the proper time, Manhattan Project, Apollo Program, and many other national plan have been disclosed to the masses even though they were confidential many years ago.
Admittedly, some private information except financial situation of political leaders should be protected. The reason why political leaders should publicize thier financial information is that he should be supervised by the public to avoid corruption. However, political leader, so as it seems to me ,is not a moral leader, and his primary responsibility is to improve national status and standard of people's living rather than to be a moral model. Take Bill Clinton for instance, he did splendid contribution to the develpoment of American economy, despite his sexual scandal.
In sum, whether should political leaders disclose information is a complex issue, and we have to analyse it according to actual situation. Briefly, the most significant precondition , in my opinion, is disclosing information should maitain the interests of nation and the public.
[ Last edited by sssky on 2005-7-25 at 21:47 ] |
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