The miscommunication age

Today there is a higher premium placed on communication than ever before. Be it in private institutions or government ministries or agencies, communication is something that we can’t do without. The distribution of information has become increasingly important. While we should give credit to some government institutions for adequately fulfilling their mandate of communicating with the public about their programmes and achievements despite the odds, others lack effective communication mechanisms. It leaves a lot to be desired. Matters of importance like policy formulation are kept from the majority of people. Media enquiries, for instance, are frowned upon by officials who are accountable to the public. It is this lax attitude that makes our government a laughing stock as far as communication technology is concerned. We are forever reminded by the powers that be to embrace programmes that will make us techno-savvy citizens. It’s a pity the government hasn’t really taken the lead as far as ICT is concerned. Websites are rarely updated and there seems to be no way of communicating information to the public apart from the mainstream media of print and broadcasting. There are many sure ways of imparting crucial information to the masses today and it remains to be seen when the government will capitalise on using the new media such as Twitter and Facebook for crucial information. The role of communication in governance is not only to inform citizens, but to promote participatory engagement with the general public. The various means of communication need to be nurtured to ensure that they are effective and worthy in bringing the desired change in society. It is our sincere hope that the government will step up its efforts in enhancing effective communication to the masses.