【0906G 文以载道三月四月小组】1.29作业

lilianliUID: 2437378

ISSUE8
"It is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public."


Should political leaders withhold information from the public? In my point of view, I agree with the author insofar as the emergency that may cause the panic of public happens, when it comes to some social problems relevant with people’s profit, the leaders should be honest and frank to the public.

To begin with, disseminating the news of some emergencies which need to be solved and consulted by political leaders may strengthen people’s panic and be not propitious to the crisis. However, the effective way is to explain the cause-and-effect to public after the emergency is solved. The 9/11 attacking is a case in point. When this violence which astonished the world happened, the leaders’ principal measures were not to explain and investigate but to rescue the survival and inform the public with the latest progress. Vigorous guidance consoled the public and inspired people’s resolution to overcome the disaster. In this sense, withhold the information to populace is necessary and indispensable. Also, the action to deal with the epidemic like SARS showed the importance of withholding information to public. When the case came out, the leaders in China didn’t hurriedly remind the public, in fact, they quickly discussed the measures as well as appeased the public. At the same time, they provided with the best treatment to the patients. When the reason was basically clear and countermeasures were reached, they informed public how to prevent from this disease. Because of public’s ruly behaviors to this emergency, there was no serious aftermath like the Black Death in Europe.

Furthermore, when it comes to some problems relevant with people’s profit, be frank to public can help deal with the trouble. Consider the environmental matter, a global problem faced by people in every country. Political leaders shouldn’t withhold information about the quantity of toxic gas the plants discharge as well as the damaged forests due to the activities of human beings. The information that opens to public may draw the public’s attention and contribute to deal with these social problems. People from various social sectors, irrespective of age would take an active part in the environmental protection. These behaviors from individual member can unify a kind of significant strength in virtue of the reality from political leaders.

Last but not least, improperly hiding information would result in public’s distrust to the leaders and government. Consider the Watergate matter causing by the America President Nixon. In order to damage the process of election his janissaries installed dictograph in the opponent’s office. Finally withholding information from the public who insisted to know the truth, Nixon abdicated his position and his janissaries were sent to prison. This kind of behaviors always cause people’s discontentment and ruin the career of political leaders. Also, sometimes political leaders use the fundamental funds to engage in military and economic actions which vast majority of people strongly oppose like exploring nuclear weapons. However, people have the right to know where their tax goes and what consequence has achieved. Withholding these information only can cite people’s outrage as well as distrust to the leaders and government.

All in all, when the emergency happens, in order to keep social stability it is reasonable to withhold information to public temporarily. However, when it comes to other problems relevant with public’s profit, be frank to public is the best choice of political leaders.