Information as a Right?

Is access to information a basic need? Is it possible to argue that it is every citizen’s right to have basic political and societal information available to them? I think that, not only is the answer to these questions yes, but that the resolution of these questions could fundamentally affect the issue of political participation discussed in this week’s readings. Overall, when reading the writings of Brady, Verba, Schattschneider etc., it became clear that the problems of political participation in the United States involved not simply a decrease in a superficial interest in politics, but a more deeply rooted socioeconomic trend which has made it much more difficult for less economically advantaged citizens to participate in campaigns, and eventually, to vote. This inability to participate leads to a lack of political recognition of what Schattschneider calls “the largest minority in the world”, and eventually causes a further decrease in this group’s interest in politics, because issues important to them are not being discussed.

This cycle, which is self perpetuating and as the studies show will only get worse without change, could hypothetically be broken by the dissemination of information throughout communities of lower socioeconomic means. This spread of information, possibly in the inexpensive form of a newspaper (in comparison to more expensive information tools, such as widespread internet access) would inform the communities of current events, election times, what representatives are running for office in their city, state etc. Information of this nature would also give these individuals ways to speak with their community (writing a letter to the editor, for example) and to organize social and political groups. Using this medium of communication and information they could eventually congregate and coordinate action if desired. Overall, with information at hand concerning ways to communicate with representatives (letters, town hall meetings, and campaign trail events), along with information about the current issues and points of debate, they can make their segment of society heard more than it has been. An example of this would be demonstrated by an individual’s letter to the editor of this circulated newspaper about basic human needs in relation to housing, which spurred the organization of neighborhood members to write to their Senator about the issue. This increased communication about issues specific to their community will in turn bring these citizens’ issues into the political realm, and will make other similarly oriented groups of people – now receiving information on politics – aware of and interested in the occurrences of the political realm.

It is in this sense that I think information is a central right for citizens. If we are to maintain the popular sovereignty based principles of our government, we must stay informed and knowledgeable about our government in order to successfully influence it. However, if such a large segment of our society is being alienated from this process, the intended role of democracy functioning for the wellbeing of the majority is failing (as we’re leaving almost half of the electorate out of the vote). For this reason I believe that it is crucial to, if nothing else, enable all citizens to receive a news source of some sort to inform them of the events in their society, and what they can do to influence them.

Now, this is obviously an ideal situation that could just as easily not happen upon its introduction to the nation. However, after analyzing the arguments of the theorists for this week, it seems to me that the root of most all of the participation woes for the country is a lack of knowledge (whether it be contributing to a feeling of not belonging, a lack of desire to practice “civic skill” in non-religious organizations, or the felt inability to contribute to political discourse). Though income gaps within our country are clearly another influential factor within this topic, information levels throughout communities are, in some places, astonishingly low. With some extra attention, information dissemination could lead to the cultivation of a newly involved and interested sect of the electorate.