蜜芽传媒

Transparency is a political and cultural ideal, entrusted with fostering accountability and strengthening democracy, a pan-political good: embraced by the Left as well as the Right.

Openness is advocated not just for governments, but for people too. The assumption, we must air our secrets for our own health and peace of mind.

"You are only as sick as your secrets," a saying that has been used by Alcoholics Anonymous for decades, sums it up.

Tiffany hears from a cross dresser who by keeping his desire to dress as a woman a secret gives himself the space to experiment. He believes that only those who need to know should know about his secret to protect his relationships.

Series exploring the idea of secret knowledge.

Secrets have never been more suspect. Post Snowden, post Savile, institutions which keep secrets are automatically seen as having something to hide, and openness and transparency are seen as the new imperatives. Any deviation from the new orthodoxy of honesty is punished - by exposure.

But the story of secrecy is not as black and white as our contemporary prejudices would have it. For centuries secrecy has been seen to serve a useful purpose. It has protected citizens from the prying eyes of governments, it has protected the feelings of individuals and kept couples together.

It has safeguarded professional integrity, and protected the vulnerable from abuse. Have we lost more than we have gained by abandoning our respect for the power and sanctity of secrecy?

Producer: Kate Bissell

First broadcast on 蜜芽传媒 Radio 4 in December 2016.

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