Must be seen to be doing something.

abc   Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:03 am GMT
What does it mean?
RayH   Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:01 am GMT
For clarity lets say this was said of the U. S. Congress sometime in the last week. You can substitute any person or group in some position of authority.

I means that the members of Congress think that they have to take some action, or that outsiders think that Congress should take some action. The implication is that they will do something in a rush (just so they will "be seen doing to be something") even if it's the wrong thing and ends up doing more harm than good.

Here is a paragraph from a story which uses the term:
"This episode highlights the fact that the international oil scenario can turn from benign to malignant in a matter of weeks and all oil-importing countries must reinforce their efforts to reduce their dependence. But, that apart, the government and the RBI must resist the pressure to engage in short-run measures merely because they must be seen to be doing something."

Here is a link to the complete story:
http://www.rediff.com/money/2004/aug/30guest2.htm
Rick   Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:05 am GMT
Writing is a separate matter, and the writing skills of many Americans are very poor indeed. About one tenth of the population is functionally illiterate; some ethnic groups have illiteracy rates several times higher. Those who were illiterate either dropped out of school at an early age, or they were taught with "look-and-say" methods that produce low levels of useful literacy. Some had learning difficulties such as dyslexia or abnormally low intelligence. Overall, though, the literacy rates are far worse than one would expect in a highly developed country that likes to brag about its supposed state of advancement. While all Americans are nominally fluent, the correctness of their speech varies with their education and personalities. Quite a few people do not speak very well, and unfortunately many of them write as they speak, if they write at all.