Statistics must serve people, not politics: Wahiduddin Mahmud

The article highlights the critical tension between political bias and statistical integrity in public data generation. It argues that while outright manipulation is not universal, governments frequently engage in selective disclosure to align statistics with their interests, constituting a form of political abuse. This undermines the fundamental trust required for data to serve as a reliable public good, emphasizing that unbiased generation and transparent dissemination are essential for maintaining the credibility of national records. Reliable statistics are portrayed as an economic asset, particularly for private sector investment and evidence-based policymaking. Credible data on market size and consumer demographics allows investors to make informed decisions, effectively making data quality an investment in itself. Furthermore, the text stresses that accurate, real-time information enables governments to chart effective courses and fosters a culture of quantitative storytelling. This approach helps stakeholders explore visible options and make strategic choices, reducing the risks of reactive decision-making caused by information overload or premature conclusions. Relevance to open_data lies in the call for a whole-of-society approach that prioritizes access to raw data and reduces noise. The consensus among speakers is that a robust data ecosystem, supported by strong institutions and skilled manpower, is necessary to produce consistent, internationally comparable data. By ensuring that researchers and the public can access and properly handle imperfect data, societies can enhance transparency and drive sustainable development. This underscores the open data principle that accessible, high-quality information is vital for accountability, trust, and informed public engagement.

Source: thedailystar.net
Published on 2025-10-21

Statistics must serve people, not politics: Wahiduddin Mahmud

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