Dilma cites importance of social networks in democratic governance

Speaking at the Open Government conference, an event parallel to the
66th United Nations General Assembly, president Dilma Rousseff cited the
importance of the internet and social networking in promoting more
transparent government.

“The internet and social networks have played important roles in civic
mobilization within recent democratic movements. We have seen the power
of these tools to awaken democratic feelings in the countries of North
Africa and the Middle East where the Arab Spring is taking place,”
declared Dilma.

With regard to Brazil, Dilma explained that the country has established
a National Broad-Band Program that will resolve the principal obstacle
to faster internet services for a greater part of the population, its
high cost. She also cited the government’s efforts to universalize
access to official information through the Transparency Portal, that
publishes details on public spending and reports by the watchdog agency,
the CGU, that combats corruption.
 
Dilma pointed out that the objective of the Transparency Portal was not
only to permit individual citizens access to official data, but to
ensure that such data is made public by government agencies so a two-way
relationship between the administration and citizens could be
established. In conclusion Dilma cited the need for a vigilant press
that is not inhibited by the government as it does its job.

Speaking at the Open Government conference, an event parallel to the 66th United Nations General Assembly, president Dilma Rousseff cited the importance of the internet and social networking in promoting more transparent government.

“The internet and social networks have played important roles in civic mobilization within recent democratic movements. We have seen the power of these tools to awaken democratic feelings in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East where the Arab Spring is taking place,” declared Dilma.

With regard to Brazil, Dilma explained that the country has established a National Broad-Band Program that will resolve the principal obstacle to faster internet services for a greater part of the population, its high cost. She also cited the government’s efforts to universalize access to official information through the Transparency Portal, that publishes details on public spending and reports by the watchdog agency, the CGU, that combats corruption.

Dilma pointed out that the objective of the Transparency Portal was not only to permit individual citizens access to official data, but to ensure that such data is made public by government agencies so a two-way relationship between the administration and citizens could be established. In conclusion Dilma cited the need for a vigilant press that is not inhibited by the government as it does its job.