The information sphere is becoming one of the most important objects of public administration, and its regulation in industrialized countries is recognized not only as an urgent, but also a priority task of public administration^[34].

The state information policy is a key tool for managing the information sphere, which determines its content, priorities and strategic directions of development. In modern conditions, new information and telecommunication technologies (ITT) open up wide opportunities for citizens, including: expanding their rights through access to a variety of information; active participation in the political decision-making process and exercising public control over the activities of public authorities; creating and distributing information along with its consumption; ensuring the protection of personal data; and ensuring the protection of personal data. data and privacy, and much more.

However, these features are not implemented automatically. In order for the potential of ITT to be effectively used in the public interest, active state regulation, adaptation of the regulatory framework and transformation of democratic institutions are required. The ability of citizens to directly influence public administration processes poses new challenges to traditional democratic structures, requiring their evolution and adaptation to the digital age.

The experience of leading economically developed countries shows that effective regulation of the information sphere is becoming one of the most important areas of state policy. In these countries, relevant legislative acts are being adopted, State bodies responsible for developing and implementing information policy are being reformed, and information security mechanisms are being introduced. Despite institutional differences, the basic principles of state information policy in different countries are largely similar, reflecting global trends in digitalization, protecting citizens ' rights and ensuring national security in the information space.

Specialists in innovative technologies pay special attention to identifying the essence, features, and directions of state information policy. Thus, V. D. Popov defines state information policy (GIP) as «the ability and ability of policy subjects to influence the consciousness, psyche of people, their behavior and activities with the help of information in the interests of the state and civil society»^[35], and in a narrower sense as «a special sphere of people's life related to the reproduction and dissemination of information, meeting the interests of the state and civil society, and aimed at ensuring a creative, constructive dialogue between them and their representatives^[36]».

V. Manoilo considers state information policy as an activity of the state power and management system aimed at creating conditions for successful, sustainable and continuous development of the system of socio-political relations of society in conditions of intensive influence of external and internal factors that exert both stabilizing and destructive information-and psychological effects on the system^[37].

Information mechanisms play a key role in the implementation of public policy, ensuring effective communication between the state and society, as well as facilitating informed decision-making. In the modern world, the development of digital technologies makes information the most important resource for management.

Information mechanisms are a set of tools, methods and technologies aimed at collecting, processing, distributing and analyzing information in the process of implementing public policy.

The main information mechanisms in public policy include:

State information systems.

The seare platforms that provide data collection and processing for management decision-making. In Kazakhstan, such systems include the Unified Register of Public Services, which contains information about all services provided by government agencies and allows citizens to receive them online through a portal «eGov.kz The E-Licensing information system» ensures the issuance and recording of licenses and permits in various fields of activity, which increases transparency and the convenience of business interaction with the state. The unified notary information system «E-notary» allows you to verify the authenticity of documents, obtain real estate data, keep records of inheritance cases and wills, receive electronic certificates from the e-government portal and verify the authenticity of powers of attorney. When applying to a notary in this case, citizens can be sure of the accuracy of the data, the legitimacy and legality of the transaction^[38]. Operational monitoring centers (Situational centers) are used to analyze the socio-economic situation in the regions, monitor the implementation of state programs, and respond to emergencies.

Mass media.

Mass media perform the function of distributing official information, forming public opinion and public control over the activities of the authorities. In Kazakhstan, an important role is played by native television channels (for example, Khabar», «Kazakhstan», «Astana TV), which cover key political events, ongoing reforms and government initiatives. There are various Internet resources and online publications (for example, Zakon.kz, Informburo.kz, Tengrinews.kz), which provide operational analytics, publish expert opinions, and cover socially significant topics. There are state-owned press centers (the Center for Public Communications, the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan), that organize press conferences and briefings, where government officials provide explanations on topical issues of state policy.

Digital platforms and social networks.

They play a growing role in ensuring interaction between the State and citizens. Kazakhstan actively uses official accounts of state bodies on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram, which allow us to quickly inform the population about decisions taken, initiatives, and support measures. «The Ashyk Dialog system» is a platform that allows citizens to send appeals and suggestions to the heads of state bodies and receive official responses. The portal allows direct interaction of citizens with the state. It allows you to send a blog message to the heads of quasi-public sector organizations (with the exception of individuals with 100% state participation); to take part in Internet conferences of various departments on relevant topics; to participate in official surveys of state bodies. The portal also implements an advanced search and filtering mechanism that allows you to quickly find data by various parameters in the blog platform, Internet conference, and survey^[39]. Chat bots and mobile applications (eGov Mobile, «1 09») are actively operating in Kazakhstan 09»), which provide convenient access to state – owned services and allow you to quickly get information about urban infrastructure and utilities.

Public feedback mechanisms.

These mechanisms include tools for interaction between the state and citizens, ensuring that public opinion is taken into account. In Kazakhstan, there are various public councils that are formed under State bodies and address key issues related to the rights and interests of citizens. «The Open NPAs portal» provides an opportunity for citizens to participate in the discussion of draft regulatory legal acts and make their own proposals. The portal aims to solve the following tasks : ensuring the availability of regulatory legal acts developed for users; providing feedback from the user (commenting, voting); ensuring the formation of a public vision regarding the promotion of a particular innovation in the field of regulatory legal acts; ensuring the formation of final reports for subsequent analysis^[40]. There are various online surveys and polls that are conducted through digital platforms to assess public opinion on important public policy issues, such as voting for improvement projects under the «Participation Budget» program.

It is worth noting that despite the advantages of information mechanisms, their implementation faces a number of problems:

- threat of cybersecurity and data leaks, as in the case of attacks on eGov.kz;

- insufficient digital literacy among certain groups of the population, which restricts access to electronic public services;

- low level of trust in state information resources, associated with insufficient transparency of some processes;

- the complexity of integrating information systems between different government agencies.

Thus, information mechanisms are an important tool in the implementation of public policy, contributing to increasing transparency, efficiency and citizen engagement. Kazakhstan is already implementing a number of initiatives aimed at digitizing public administration and developing channels of public dialogue. However, to further improve these mechanisms, it is necessary to strengthen measures to ensure cybersecurity, increase digital literacy and develop trusting relations between the state and citizens. In the context of digital transformation, public administration must adapt to new realities, actively using modern technologies to achieve socially significant goals.

 

Control questions

 

1. Define the main functions of legislation in the public administration system.
2. Reveal the essence of administrative management of the state.
3. Describe the role of administrative regulation in the implementation of public policy.
4. Analyze the problems that arise in the administrative management system.
5. Describe the stages of developing government programs and strategies.
6. Explain the methods used in planning government strategies.
7. Describe the role of the state budget in the country's economic policy.
8. Reveal the role of information policy in shaping public opinion.
9. List and explain the methods and tools of "e-government "that increase the efficiency of public administration.
10. Describe the main tools of monetary policy in public administration.

 

Questions for discussion

 

1. To what extent do you think regulations should restrict freedom in the interests of public order? What are the risks associated with excessive state regulation of public relations?
2. Is it possible to find a compromise between a rigid vertical of power and expanding the powers of local self-government? How do administrative reforms affect the flexibility of public administration?
3. How do you think the state crosses the line between regulation of the information space and censorship? How do states use information technology to influence public opinion?

 

Case studies

 

Case 1. National Digital Transformation Strategy.

The Government is developing a National Digital Transformation strategy aimed at introducing new technologies, developing «e-government», supporting the IT sector, and protecting personal data. Among the key areas are artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, cybersecurity and digitalization of public services.

However, the strategy development process is accompanied by a number of challenges. The business community believes that the strategy does not sufficiently address the needs of IT companies. Civil society is concerned about the collection and processing of personal data. Some experts point out that there are no clear KPIs for evaluating the success of the program. The introduction of new technologies requires significant budget investments.

Tasks:

- what are the key stages in the formation of the state digital transformation strategy? Identify which stakeholders should participate in the discussion and how to ensure their involvement. Identify the legislative and regulatory documents that the strategy should be based on:

- what tools can you use to discuss your strategy? What role should IT companies and universities play in strategy development? What international practices can be applied to increase the transparency of the process?

- what KPIs can be proposed to assess the success of digital transformation? How should we analyze the implementation of the strategy in order to avoid inefficient spending of budget funds? What mechanisms of responsibility of state bodies for the implementation of the strategy can be implemented?

 

Case 2. Tax benefits for small businesses.

The government is considering introducing tax holidays for small businesses for 3 years. The goal is to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce the financial burden on small companies. However, there are several controversial aspects. The Ministry of Finance fears that the shortfall in tax revenues will lead to a budget deficit. Economists warn that tax breaks can be used by unscrupulous companies to evade taxes. Large businesses express their dissatisfaction with the fact that more favorable conditions are being created for small businesses.

Tasks:

- what tax benefits are already applied for small businesses in the country? How can tax holidays affect economic growth and the level of entrepreneurial activity? What international examples can be used to assess the effectiveness of tax holidays?

- how can abuse of tax holidays be prevented? What additional criteria can be set for obtaining tax benefits?

- what compensatory measures can be proposed to fill the shortfall in revenues to replenish the state budget?

 

Case 3. Fake news and state information policy.

During the country's elections, the number of fake news stories on social networks increased dramatically. Disinformation covers such key topics as false statements about candidates and their programs, falsification of voting results that do not correspond to reality, and rumors about alleged interference of foreign states in the electoral process.

The state is proposing a new draft пlaw on combating fakes, but жactivists and human rights activists believe that it can restrict freedom of speech and be used for censorship. Social networks do not want to introduce additional restrictions without clear criteria. Society is divided: some demand tough measures, while others fear abuse.

Tasks:

- what mechanisms to combat fake news are already used in the world? How can we compare the fight against fakes and the protection of freedom of speech?

- what technologies can be used to detect misinformation? Should the state be directly engaged in refuting fakes, or is it the responsibility of the media? How can the public and independent experts be involved in the information verification process?

- what educational programs can be implemented to improve the critical thinking of citizens? How should government agencies work to ensure that citizens trust official sources? Do I need to create a separate platform for verifying information (similar to FactCheck, Snopes)?

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^[34] Bangemann A. Europe and the Global Information Society // Growth, Competitiveness, Employment: The Challenges and Ways Forward into the 21st Century. Bulletin of the European Commission. Supplement No. 6, 1993.

^[35] Information Policy: Textbooks / General Editor V. D. Popov. – Moscow: RAGS Publishing, 2003.

^[36] Same reference. – С. 38.

^[37] Manoylo A. V. State Information Policy in Special Conditions: Monograph. – Moscow: MEPhI, 2003. – p. 16.

^[38] E-Government Portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan https://egov.kz/cms/ru/information/about/projects. Date of reference 03.03.2025

^[39] E-Government Portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan https://egov.kz/cms/ru/articles/open-dialog. Date of reference 03.03.2025

^[40] «Open NLA» Portal (Open Draft Regulatory Legal Acts Portal)https://legalacts.egov.kz/about. Date of reference 03.03.2025