Age of ‘iron curtain’ is over, govt must open up: Rajyavardhan Rathore

Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore on Friday stated that the age of “iron curtain” is over and the government needs to open up to provide swift and accurate information to the people.

Inaugurating a workshop for government officials on how to use Facebook more effectively for communication, he asked officials to take to social media aggressively. “We need to open up. Typically, governments have been with iron curtains all around. But today, time is changing, so we first need to change our mindset,” Mr Rathore said.

Addressing government officials who look after government’s communication outreach on the social media, the minister said that the process of how information is shared from decision makers to disseminators needs to get faster and social media can play a key role as it not only shapes debates on TV but also public opinion. “You cannot hide information in today’s world. You have to share that information and engage with people,” he said.

Pointing out that often incorrect information regarding ministries and government departments goes on social media, Mr Rathore said that on such occasions the correct facts should be provided. “That is the time you could get to the social media and correct that information. People are hungry for information,” he said.

He said social media should not be dismissed and emphasised that it may be shaping what is happening on television or in the print media.

The minister said that 85 per cent of central ministers are on Facebook and 80 per cent ministries already have verified accounts. He, however, emphasised that even this figure needs to be improved. Apparently, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is active on social media, Mr Rathore said that the coach has shown the way and it is now for the players to act. Mr Rathore said that the Indian PM could soon be the most liked leader on social media globally.