Page 107 - Pure Life 40
P. 107
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82 / International Multidisciplinary Journal of Pure Life, 11(40), 2024
Keeping Secrets and Confidential influence public opinion, or gain
Information leverage in media coverage.
Although sessions of the Majlis (Iran’s This practice of leaking confidential
parliament) and its specialized information has become so common
commissions are typically open to the that it poses a serious concern for the
public, there are times when certain government, especially for agencies
meetings are held privately, and MPs are like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
required to keep the details of these which has declared that it will no
sessions confidential. This longer share sensitive information with
confidentiality is necessary because parliamentarians due to the frequent
parliamentarians often need access to breaches of confidentiality. This
sensitive and classified information to ongoing issue has led to a breakdown
make informed decisions. For example, in trust between government officials
when determining the country's defense and members of parliament,
budget, MPs must be aware of national highlighting the challenges of
security threats. Similarly, in addressing maintaining confidentiality within the
economic issues, MPs must have access legislative process (Ibid, p.38).
to confidential financial data, such as the Seriousness and Perseverance
country’s assets and liabilities. Success in any field, particularly in
Therefore, the ability to maintain secrecy government roles such as
about such information is a critical part parliamentary representation, demands
of a parliamentarian’s duties (Preston & high levels of seriousness and
Sampford, 2012, p. 31). perseverance. Elected parliamentarians
Despite the importance of represent the hopes and expectations of
confidentiality, many instances of their constituents, and although it is
classified information being disclosed impossible to satisfy all demands,
to the media are reported, even though making earnest and sustained efforts is
MPs are well aware of the legal and a fundamental responsibility of every
criminal consequences of such actions. MP (Ibid, p. 42). Given that terms in
Before closed-door sessions, parliament are typically fixed to a few
parliamentarians are generally years—four years in many countries
reminded of the need to keep this including Iran—every moment of
information private. However, some service counts, demanding MPs focus
MPs, often driven by political motives, solely on their legislative duties.
deliberately leak confidential details to The lack of direct monitoring of
the media. These leaks can occur as a parliamentary activities emphasizes the
means to attack political rivals,
