Controlled press means better faster decisions?

kilua SG

Does controlled press means better faster decisions or prolonging bad decisions?

The government often argues that a controlled press allows the government to execute good decisions quickly without the need to build a consensus. However, the sword cut both ways. It also means a bad decision can be covered up, critics can silenced and a distorted coverage of the policy can be propagated just to minimize embarrassment. Without a press to check the government, bad policies can be continued to make the bad look good

Salman SG

We do need a free press but it has to be responsible. I don’t like the free press in Hong Kong and USA. Too much trash and propaganda.

M©+square SG

Indeed, controlled press might mean faster decisions made, however it does not mean 'better' decisions.

shade343 SG

This begs the question: If we cant trust our government, then who can we trust?

robertteh SG

Authoritarianism is the only way forward supported by a system of elitism which will exert total control of population in a total plan:-

(1) Agents assigned to depoliticise views in forumers

(2) Certain agent is to focused on certain views on opponents - some assigned to handle views of CSJ, and other threats,

(3) Certain views like "Controlled Press means faster decisions" systematically rolled out to brainwash population. (Iteration is the art of brainwash)

(4) Identify critics and debunk their views in forums systematically,

(5) Meritocracy - systematically to promote elites, make some minor adjustments but essentially this will control political views.

(6) Foreign talents - systematically executed for replacements of brain drains

(7) Doing little acts to help win voters - only at election time, it does not cost much.

( Cool Leadership - best topic is to brainwash population on past 40 years of achievements, bring back confucianism, emphasise family values

(9) Depolitisation, cooption and machination - continues, it does not matter some disagreements do happen, the objective is to win votes,

(10) Remaking of Singapore, economic retructuring, solving the high costs anti-business problems and 20 major policy problems or implementing a strategic master plan to upgrade to value-adding technologies - put on hold, as there is nobody around like Goh Keng Swee to strategize and execute with total commitments ...does not matter..stability is more important

dragg SG

if you cant trust the govt, you can at least thrust your girlfriend or wife.

shade343 SG

what good will that acheive other than increasing the population?

kilua SG

The assumption that we should trust the government to make a better decision is based on 2 grounds.

1. The government is privileged to see the larger picture and acts as an arbiter of different self-interest groups
2. Resources are available to tap various sources of research and make a good decision.

The government sometimes fails because

1. Specifics goals, benchmark of performance are set for civil servants, They sometime relentlessly pursue these goals ignoring how their decisions may affect the public in an adverse way.

2. Policies need feedback - the ground man always experience the problems of the implemented policy first. Humans are immensely complex and what really appears to work on paper fails in practice.

I dont advocate the kind of crazy paparazzi press in Hong Kong, but a more liberal press lubricates social change. There should be space for public criticism of government policies to rise or we risk being stagnant and oblivious to the rapid social changes brought about by internet and globalization.

dragg SG

the govt will be very encouraged.

pikamaster SG

robert,

Please don't try to resurrrect a dead thread... Sad

oxford mushroom SG

Provided you are not shooting blanks Mr. Green