Question for the day

[davywavy]

To what extent should governments control information? And even supply false or misleading information to their own people if they deem it necessary?

Comments

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

Does "information" include the location of the keys to the bicycle locks that protect nuclear missiles?

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Why, yes. Yes it does.

[(Anonymous)]

I have for a long time expected that in the event of total inescapable catastrophe we will be told to lie on the floor with a paper bag over our heads

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

For you, that's catastrophe. For me, it's Saturday night.

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe people have different ideas about what would be embarrassing? Should people know what type of porn their neighbours watch? Is that in anyone's interest for that information to be disclosed. Sometimes the question should not just be about what information should be shared but why should it be shared? It is right that some things remain private but it should not be in the public interest to share everything (besides, people probably don't care, rightly or wrongly...)

But agree that governments should not be controlling all information, since it seems many are not any more trust worthy than the dodgy guy across the street. Maybe we (as a governed people) need to take more political action and ensure that those who are elected to be the gate keepers to information are we people we can trust and not just those who are financially able to be elected in large numbers....