Politics and transparency: how to find balance

Transparency in institutions is a fundamental pillar of democracy, but how is it implemented in Ticino? The program SEIDISERA (Rete Uno - RSI) dedicated three episodes to this topic, analysing three recent news cases. The guest for the miniseries was Prof. Jean-Patrick Villeneuve, a Full Professor at the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). He provided an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities related to political and governmental transparency.

In the first episode, the emphasis was on the transparency of public departmental spending. While some documents, such as estimates and final statements, are available, understanding the specific expenditure items in detail can be challenging. This makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of those expenditures. The case originated from an investigation carried out by a local journalist at the regional radio and television network RSI. The journalist requested access to the documents related to an audit from the public administration. After two years and an initial refusal from the authority, he finally obtained the documents. This situation has sparked a debate about the actual transparency in disclosing such documents, a matter that State Chancellor Arnoldo Coduri has also addressed.

"This is a classic case," explained Professor Jean-Patrick Villeneuve, "the idea of a transparent administration, where any citizen can request a document, represents a change, and it takes time to find a balance and to understand exactly which documents can be provided and how. Journalists also have a role to play, as by requesting such documents, they push the administration to establish new legal frameworks. In countries like America, such frameworks have existed for a long time."

Excessive mediatisation can pose a threat to transparency, as it creates a risk: once the administration releases information, it is in the hands of the citizens, granting them greater power. "However, the principle of transparency asserts that anyone can ask questions," clarified the USI Professor.

Professor Villeneuve explained the importance of publishing data, regardless of whether it is read. The availability of data for consultation directly impacts administration. "If I do not publish my expenses as a politician, I might opt to stay, for example, at the St. James Hotel, which is significantly more expensive. However, if I know anyone can view my expenses, I will likely choose a more affordable hotel. This situation illustrates the idea of "control without control": the mere availability of information can influence my decisions."

A key dilemma was discussed in the second episode: when and how much should the government communicate about ongoing investigations? In Switzerland, the State Council may not disclose information about an ongoing case to avoid compromising the secrecy of the investigation. This principle has sparked controversy in the case of parliament member Tessa Prati, who sought clarification regarding the demolition of the former slaughterhouse (ex Macello) but did not receive a response.

"The issue of how much to communicate is one that Ticino politics has yet to balance," explained Professor Villeneuve, "It is a topic debated everywhere, but in Switzerland, there is a tendency to wait and see what other countries do before developing its own approach."

As well as deciding what to say, it is important to consider timing: "The timing of information release and the role of the media are central to this discussion. The value of information diminishes over time; for example, knowing the winning lottery numbers three days after the draw is not particularly useful. The administration must decide whether to share information with the media immediately or delay its release, which is a political decision. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but the administration needs to maintain consistency in its approach," observed the USI Professor.

In the third episode, the topic of justice was discussed, highlighting that the website sentenze.ti.ch is slow and not up to date. As a result, two Great Councillors presented a motion requesting greater transparency. The failure to publish rulings in a complete and timely manner makes it impossible for both professionals in the field and everyday citizens to access the most recent case law on specific legal matters. Citizens are expected to know and respect the law, but the lack of accessible information hinders their ability to do so.

"Information is essential for all state operations. The lack of data on sentences affects its functionality, so greater transparency is not just a desire but a genuine necessity. This is not an easy challenge; however, the administration appears to be moving in the right direction. We will need to see how long it takes to achieve concrete improvements," commented the professor.

Considering the potential reasons for the failure to publish some sentences, the small size of our Canton might be a contributing factor.: "The fact that Ticino is a canton where everyone knows each other does not justify the failure to publish court decisions. Information should either be public or it should not. Decisions cannot vary on a case-by-case basis, as this also attracts the attention of journalists," explained Professor Villeneuve.

Broadening his view, the professor observed that "at an international level, each country has its own laws, which are generally comparable. The main differences lie in funding and the availability of mediation, where groups come together to seek solutions. Today, the significant challenge is funding. Unlike when cuts are made to education or healthcare, there is often no reaction when transparency is compromised."

According to Professor Villeneuve, what solutions can be proposed to find a functional balance? "Having a designated reference person and a communication department responsible for decision-making is essential for prioritising the communication process. Clear regulations are also important. The media often publish various articles, yet the government may refrain from commenting, and there is a reluctance to release information that could jeopardise future processes. As a result, determining what and how much to communicate can be challenging. However, establishing clear internal guidelines can help facilitate this decision-making."

The professor concluded by noting that the path taken to make Ticino more transparent, while challenging, appears to be the correct one: "It requires the commitment of politicians and the administration, and it is necessary to be clear about all costs, not only financial but also in terms of timing".

The three episodes of the SEIDISERA miniseries on transparency in Ticino, featuring Professor Jean-Patrick Villeneuve, are available at the following link (Italian only).