Letter of the Day | The Gov’t dug its own grave ...

THE EDITOR, Madam:
As the Government declares war on misinformation circulating on social media, one could argue that it has dug its own grave in this fight. Political discussions online often devolve into insults rather than genuine debate, but governments must also accept responsibility for the conditions that allow misinformation to flourish.
Take the Third Country National (TCN) issue. Dr Horace Chang recently sought to correct misinformation surrounding the agreement between Jamaica and the United States. However, both he and the prime minister had opportunities to provide clear information from the outset. Instead, the public largely learned of the matter through a leak. Ordinary Jamaicans, who elect these officials and fund the State through their taxes, were unaware of the arrangement until details emerged unofficially.
How can the government effectively combat misinformation when it frequently relies on the Data Protection Act – legislation intended to protect citizens’ privacy – to withhold information of public interest? Moreover, many citizens either cannot access or do not know how to access important government documents.
When information is hidden, people naturally become suspicious. If a spouse conceals important activities, doubts arise. If a professional withholds critical information from a client, trust is eroded. Why should citizens react differently when governments appear reluctant to share information openly? In an era of social media, artificial intelligence, and deepfakes, secrecy only fuels speculation, particularly in a political environment shaped by past corruption scandals.
This is not a defence of misinformation. On the contrary, misinformation worsens the consequences of low public trust. If the Government truly wishes to combat false information, it must first earn public confidence through greater transparency and openness. It is troubling when many Jamaicans consider a TikToker or YouTuber a more reliable source of information about government actions than the Government itself.

Marcus White