Iran: False Statistics; From Weak Managers` Concealment to Obtain a greater Share of the Budget

Tuesday: June 17 2008 Khorasan Newspaper 

  Page 5: http://www.khorasannews.com/newssource/17008-870328/pdf/n05.pdf

 

False Statistics; From Weak Managers` Concealment to Obtain a greater Share of the Budget

By: Seyyed Yahya Azimi

Translated by: Reza Arad

 

Many evidences show that statistics are necessary for efficient programming of daily affairs of countries and organizations. They are  a very important factor in implementing any economical, cultural, social and political projects. The use of statistical data has increased greatly, so that the new world is called "The World of Statistics and Probabilities" by some thinkers.

 

Ismael Ahmadi Mogadam, the President Consultant in an interview with Jaam-e-Jam Newspaper says:" Some parts of false statistics presented by high managers of state organizations are intended to get a larger share of the budget, but the foreign press uses them against our country."

 

Researchers believe that people accept information, psychologically, more easily  if they are in the form of figures and numbers. So, statistics are a powerful factor for satisfying and convincing public thought.

 

Dr. Amir Hooshang Mehryar, social psychologist and university professor, in an interview with Jaam-e-Jam online says: "While there is no trustee in charge of removing social injuries in this country, how do you expect that there would be administrators for statistics?"

 

Other researcher (M.A. of management) says: "When some senior managers intend to obtain more from the budget, in fact, they want to hide the deficiencies of their organizations so that no one notices the infirmities of these organizations. Undoubtedly, we should not expect them to respect clientele and do their work correctly and on time."

 

Daryoosh Ganbari, the former deputy of the Parliament says: "Untrue statistics have become a serious problem in our country. Some statistics are so unbelievable that they are rejected by the managers themselves who presented them previously. The reasons for presenting false statistics by superintendents of the country are: First, the great weakness of statistical system of the country and second, propaganda and political aspects of the statistics. These both cause people's distrust and suspicions to increase."

 

Morteza Tamaddon, the former deputy and a former member of "Central Council of Fundamentalists" in Parliament says: "The only remedy for untrue statistics is comparing the governmental statistics with the data presented by Iran Statistics Center. This causes clarifying the facts for the public and if there is any mistake, it will be corrected."

 

A basic question is who is in charge of true statistics in the country and what the effect of false statistics is on psychological safety of the society?

 

A senior manager of the Iran Statistics Center says:" According to the law, only the statistics presented by this center are dependable because we use a clear and lawful process to produce them. This center does not have administrative power, although only its statistics are appropriate and usable based on the State law. Some organizations present their own statistics and no one investigates  them and the State does not administer its sanction. If an organization feels that it will be questioned if it presents false statistics to justify its operations, it never does that."

 

Dr. Ahrari, psychologist, says:" False statistics cause a feeling of  insecurity in some social categories. In fact, the most dangerous social injury for a society is that people confront untrue statistics. Social injuries are connected to each other like a chain which appears in the form of behavioral disorders and discords in a society. The cause of these injuries often is pessimism and any false statistics can cause pessimism and distrust. The injuries of untrue statistics sometimes are irrecoverable for a nation at the international level."

 

It sounds as though the governors must look for a remedy that will ensure people hear the true statistics from the press every day, not false statistics by news makers or managers who want to show everything as ideal and gracious.