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So the Summit starts on April 19, and by the end of April 20 we should have a few new ideas on the table. As delegates, we each have to submit 100 words on what big idea we're bringing along. Mine is centered on e-governance - the need to revolutionise how we can interact with government and actively set public policy agendas. My 100 words read as follows:
"We need to connect governance to an innovation agenda. My practical
idea is to implement a Citizens' Cabinet: a straightforward online
system where government encourages Australians to have their say about
upcoming inquiries and reviews. Currently, the system for public
participation in reviews is sclerotic: arcane documents are offered to
those few who write in legalese or have a vested interest. An
accessible web forum would explain upcoming decision-making processes,
encourage public submissions in plain English, and allow Government
documents and data to be searched and downloaded at no cost. An online Citizens'
Cabinet requires considerable development and effort to get it right,
but there are good examples from other national institutions to follow.
Stronger freedom of information laws would complete the circle: giving
people the capacity to see what happens on the Hill, and a permanent
invitation to have their say."
In addition to that idea, I'm interested in talking about how we encourage a stronger and more critical fourth estate. For example, how do we develop a stronger culture of investigative journalism? Very few Australian media organisations can still afford to support ongoing, deep
investigations - it's time-consuming and resource-intensive. But
it is a critical way to increase community awareness on key issues and
is a core function of the fourth estate.
One option is to establish a National Investigative Journalism Fund,
co-sponsored by government and the media industry. Journalists could
apply in competitive rounds, and an independent board would assess
applications and award 'investigative grants' for stories in the public
interest. This would further support the kind of high quality
Australian journalism that also contributes to our overall democratic
health. Perhaps it could also help to address the view of 71% of
Australians that the media cannot be relied on to inform society (as
per Roy Morgan 2005 Media Survey).
Of course, this wouldn't just be for the major media organisations. A fund like this could also be drawn on by community media, online journalists, freelancers, documentary producers etc.
Anyhow, there's much to read and think about before the Summit. Above all, I'd really like to see the idea of a big online government portal for community participation. I'll try to post some updates while I'm there and let you know how I go.
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