Government silence fuels rumors, author warns

The Greek philosopher Aristotle's concept of "nature abhors a vacuum" is invoked to explain the current communication deficit in Trinidad and Tobago's government. The author argues that the lack of transparency and accountability, particularly the absence of regular post-Cabinet briefings, is creating a vacuum filled by rumors and speculation.

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nature does not allow a vacuum and that an empty space cannot exist because something will rush in to fill this space.

Prime Minister Rowley's assurances that law-abiding citizens need not fear alleged wiretapping, and a minister's statement that post-Cabinet briefings are unnecessary due to information provided by the PM and ministers, are presented as insufficient. The article highlights that significant issues remain unaddressed, leading to public unease and a reliance on social and print media for answers.

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law-abiding citizens need not fear alleged wire-tapping.

The author stresses the importance of transparency and accountability, suggesting that more frequent press briefings would allow reporters to ask critical questions. This, in turn, would foster greater public trust and comfort in governance. Without it, the government risks becoming further distanced from the population, making governance more difficult as the focus shifts to crisis management rather than proactive leadership.

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the absence of a post-Cabinet briefing, which is 12 weeks due, is not really necessary because citizens are provided with information from the PM and her ministers.

The article concludes with a warning to the current government: they must be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the previous administration, which made major decisions without public consultation. The author uses the idiom "while the grass grows, the horse does not starve" to emphasize the need for consistent and effective communication to maintain public support and prevent the erosion of goodwill.

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while the grass grows, the horse does not starve