1. The Role of Information in Improving Development & Governance
Sahr Kpundeh
World Bank Institute

2. Overview of Presentation
Information and Governance
-- economic perspective
-- governance perspective
Information and Development
-- transparency and corruption
-- information and accountability
-- information and efficiency
Program Components
-- Media and Information Environment
-- Public information capacity
-- Media institutions and Capacity
-- Development Journalism
-- investigative Journalism
Conclusion: WBI’s Media, Information and Governance Program

3. Creating Freedom of Information
A Steep Ascent & A Difficult Climb

4. The ‘Dividend’ of Good Governance
Infant Mortality and Corruption 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Weak
Average
Good
Control of Corruption x
Development
Dividend
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
Weak
Average
Good
Regulatory Burden x
Development
Dividend
Per Capita Income and
Literacy and Rule of Law 25 50 75
100
Weak
Average
Good
Rule of Law x
Development
Dividend
Per Capita Income and
Voice and Accountability
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
Weak
Average
Strong x
Development
Dividend
These are interesting indicators but how can be used? Explore the link with development
Note
: The bars depict the simple correlation between good governance and development outcomes. The line depicts the
predicted value when taking into account the causality effects (“Development Dividend”) from improved governance to better
development outcomes. For data and methodological details visit

5. Reforms for Improving Governance & Combating Corruption
Civil Society Oversight
Open Hearings
Monitoring
Access to Information
Freedom of the Press
Economic Policy
Deregulation
Privatization
Competition Policy
Good
Governance
Accountability of Political Leadership
Disclosure
Inspector General/Anti-Corruption Agency
Campaign Finance
Financial Management
Comprehensive Budget
Transparency
Procurement Reform
Independent Audit
Rule of Law
Independence from Executive
Upgrade Staff Training and Laws
ADR Mechanisms
Civil Service
Pay
Meritocracy
Client Information
Customs Reform
Tariff Simplification
Professionalization
Reduce Discretion

6. Perspectives on Information
Economic perspective
Information about prices
More efficient markets
Governance Perspective
Information about functioning of public officials
Transparency, accountability
Better allocation of public resources
Information as tool for empowerment

7. Information from Economic Perspective
Information as a public good
Responsibility of the government to make information available to citizens about economy/markets – publication of data and statistics
Decreases uncertainty in the market. Hence decreases volatility and improves macroeconomic environment

8. Information & Development
Government’s design sound economic and social policies and implement policies more effectively
Private business/individuals make better choices in private markets
Business/individuals evaluate choices and make better choices in public/political markets
Hold private and public actors accountable by:
--affecting reputation
-- allowing to monitor with a view to devise penalties and rewards

9. Information & Governance
Transparency & Corruption
Transparency in Government decisions, public expenditures, and transactions is key to averting corruption
Transparency in the award of contracts and licenses is key to making them fair and open
Information on public officials in the media provides a useful check on the discretionary exercise of authority

10. Transparency and GDP Growth
Annual GDP Growth (%)
Using another source => Executive Opinion survey used in the calculations for the indicators
Source: Annual GDP growth over is taken from WDI 2002; GDP is computed in PPP terms. The various transparency / governance variables drawn from Executive Opinion Survey, 2002.

11. Information & Governance
Information and Accountability
Increases political accountability if politicians have to make information public
Increases internal accountability of public officials if they are required to regularly report to policymakers
Increases social accountability since citizens can monitor actions of bureaucrats and delivery of services, and participate
Especially important to participation and accountability by local governments

12. Transparency and Citizen Oversight
Tracking Education Dollars in Uganda
US$ per student
3.5
3.0
Public info campaign
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
Uganda’s struggle to get its substantial education spending to the intended targets was for many years a frustrating exercise, until 1998, when the government made an important decision….
As the new education budget was announced for 1999, details were given to the press about how much money was to go to each school district. Suddenly, when the public was armed with information, the results improved dramatically.
0.5
0.0
1990
1991
1993
1994
1995
1999
Intended grant
Actual grant received by primary school (means)
Source: Uganda Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys

13. Information & Governance
Information & Efficiency
Increases efficiency if information is effectively managed and shared between government departments
Important for businesses to function effectively, and for a more stable macroeconomic environment
Improves accessibility to public services if information about them are available easily

14. Information Institutions & Flows
Government
Central Ministries
Local/Municipal
Bodies
Legislatures
(Central & Local)
Checks & Balance
Media
Citizens
Civil Society
Private sector
Information
Information
Voice & Participation

15. Information & Governance
Politicians/
Policymakers
Delegation of
Implementation
Internal Accountability
Delegation and Voice
Political Accountability
Information
Information
Information
Public Goods and Services
Client Power/Social Accountability
Citizens
Bureaucrats

16. WBI’s Media, Information & Governance Program
Needs Assessments, Learning workshops and programs to build capacity in client countries
Target groups: legislators, government information officials, media professionals, civil society
Partners: Local research institutions, media training institutes, international donor partners

17. WBI’s Media, Information & Governance Program Five Modules
Media & Information Environment
Public Information Capacity
Media Institutions and Capacity
Development Journalism
Investigative Journalism

18. Media and Information Environment
Many countries have Secrecy laws – Official Secrets Act
Conflicts between FOI law and Secrecy laws
Freedom of Information Law is a relatively new phenomenon in many countries
FOI law provides exemptions, procedures for requests and outlines obligations of public officials for disclosure
Provides guarantees against denial of information
Also includes freedom of expression
Enforcements Mechanisms: Information Commissioners; Ombudsman

19. Public Information Capacity
Even in the presence of FOI law, government agencies need the capacity to make information public
Information as a public good. Obligation of public agencies to provide information about citizen rights and entitlements
Press Information Departments fulfill this function
Limited capacity for information management, processes for information flows
Need for both structural solutions – technology for better information management, capacity for dissemination, publications etc.
Public Information Campaigns

20. Public Information Capacity
Importance of the architecture of information - to ensure that the information that is collected is comparable and accessible.
Integrated financial management information systems - to track the use of money within the government. - used in Tanzania, and being implemented in many other African countries.
Computerized audits - to ensure comparability of information on the use of public money across years and to enhance accessibility - used in South Africa. Implemented in Ghana.
Mobilization of non-governmental groups in information gathering - use of service delivery surveys in Uganda and India.

21. Media Institutions & Capacity
Mass media are important intermediaries of public information
Political Economy of Media Ownership
Political Influence & Independence of the Media
Financial Autonomy
Media Management
Independent media – Print, Community radio, Internet

22. Development Journalism
The Role of the Media in Development
Reporting on Poverty
Public Service Obligations of Commercial Media
State media and Development
Balancing Commercial and Public Service Interests
Quality and impact of good reporting

23. Investigative Journalism
Reporting and Writing Skills
Research Skills
Media Ethics
Dealing with political pressures
Uncovering Corruption

24. Program Achievements
Long experience with investigative journalism courses in Africa
Freedom of information workshops in Sri Lanka and Indonesia

25. Thank You

26. Q&A
and
Discussion