"Estamos para facilitar el acceso a la información pública"

Henar Alonso redefines the archival profession by shifting the focus from passive custodianship to active democratization of information. As an archivist, she argues that the primary purpose of public archives is to guarantee citizens' right to access historical documentation, which is essential for exercising legal and civil rights. This perspective transforms the role of archivists into that of "archi-activists" who facilitate transparency and historical truth, particularly in contexts like post-Francoist Spain where access to records supports democratic memory and individual heritage claims. The article highlights the critical link between open data practices and social justice, emphasizing that unrestricted access to public records empowers communities and corrects historical asymmetries. Alonso’s work demonstrates that managing public documentation is not merely an administrative task but a political act that fosters equity. By ensuring that historical evidence remains available and unmanipulated, archivists help society confront its past, thereby strengthening the rule of law and enabling individuals to reclaim their identities and rights through verified historical data. This narrative is highly relevant to the open_data movement as it underscores the ethical imperative of data accessibility beyond mere technical availability. It illustrates how open access to institutional records supports democratic participation, accountability, and social cohesion. The story serves as a powerful reminder that data openness is a fundamental tool for empowerment, requiring dedicated advocacy to overcome bureaucratic resistance and ensure that public information remains a shared resource for all citizens rather than restricted elite knowledge.

Source: diariodeavila.es
Published on 2024-02-19