When it comes to sharing information to the citizens by the government, I believe citizens should only get the information they need to know and not everything. I believe this will help peace to reign and here's my reason:
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Sharing too much information can cause fear and panic in people. Sometimes even the little information passed causes fear so imagine how sharing every little detail will be like. Let's take for example sharing every detail about terrorist attack, people will be too scared to leave their homes and this will affect daily lives, it'll also affect the economy because people are too scared to go out or travel. But when the government only shares what is necessary, the society and people will be calm.
Also, sharing too much information can lead to chaos and instability. Let's imagine the citizens knew everything about political scandals or criminal activity, this will lead to distrust in the government and all law enforcement agencies. The citizens might start to protest or riot, but when the necessary information is passed, order and stability is maintained and this ensures a smooth functioning society.
It is also the responsibility of the government to protect sensitive information that could compromise national security. If the plans of the military or intelligence gets to the public, the enemy will want to use the information against the country. Keeping such detail secret will help the government to protect its citizens from threats. It's the duty of the government to safeguard its citizens and it means that not all piece of information should be shared to the public, only share what's necessary.
I know that it's important for citizens to be informed as transparency builds trust between the government and her people. However, it doesn't mean that every single piece of information must be shared. Governments can keep citizens informed about important issues without divulging details that could cause unnecessary harm or panic.
Let's take for example. During the COVID19 pandemic, it was really important for the government to share the news about the virus, how it spreads and the precautions to take to remain safe. But if the government had shared every little detail and uncertainty about the virus, it could have caused fear and panic. But by sharing factual information, governments were able to keep people informed and prepared without causing undue fear.
Personally, I have seen how too much negative news affects people's mental health. Constant exposure to bad news can lead to anxiety and depression. People will start to feel like the world is a terrible place and this will affect their interaction with others, but when the government filters the information they share to the public, it can help to protect people's mental health and ensure they remain and stay positive.
While it's important for citizens to be informed, I believe it's better for everyone if people only knew what they need to know. This will help maintain peace, stability, and a sense of security. It's the government's responsibility to balance transparency with the need to protect its citizens from harm and danger. By doing this, they can ensure that society functions smoothly and that people remain calm and hopeful.
