There can be no meaningful democracy without an informed citizenry. The right to vote is central to democracy, but the ability to make informed choices is just as important. Citizens who do not understand the issues before them can easily be misled, manipulated or persuaded to support decisions that work against their own interests.
Being informed, however, does not simply mean receiving information from others. It requires the curiosity and ability to question what one hears, examine different viewpoints and seek answers. Information must not be accepted blindly. It must be understood, tested and evaluated.
In today’s world, access to information is easier than ever. The internet and artificial intelligence have placed an extraordinary range of knowledge within reach of ordinary people. No previous generation has enjoyed such ready access to information. Yet, this abundance has not necessarily produced a better-informed society. Many remain unaware of important public issues, while others mistake rumours, opinions and half-truths for facts. Having information readily available does not necessarily mean knowing what to make of it.
This is particularly concerning when it comes to young people and students. Having grown up in the age of the internet, they have unprecedented access to information and are expected to be more aware of the world around them. Yet, there is growing concern over their limited engagement with current affairs and issues that directly affect their lives. Governance, employment, education, politics, the economy and the future of their communities are not distant matters to be left to politicians and elders. These are issues that will shape the world they inherit.
The responsibility to address this cannot rest on young people alone. Parents, teachers, elders, civil society organisations and educational institutions must make a conscious effort to nurture curiosity and independent thinking. Young people should be encouraged to ask difficult questions, challenge convenient answers and look beyond the information that appears on their screens. More importantly, they must learn to distinguish between facts and opinions, credible information and misinformation.
A democracy cannot function well when its citizens are content to be told what to think. It needs citizens who are willing to think for themselves. Access to information may be more readily available than ever, but the willingness to question, understand and act on it remains a responsibility. The strength of a democracy ultimately depends not on how much information its citizens receive, but on how well they understand the issues and exercise their judgement.
