The Dominican Republic has presented its First National Open Data Plan, a strategic commitment of the open government agenda aimed at improving the availability and standardization of public information. This initiative emphasizes transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, facilitating data interconnection to help prevent administrative corruption. By prioritizing categories such as transportation, cultural services, and social security, the State responds to citizen inquiries to ensure that the released information is relevant and useful to society. In parallel, the fourth edition of the National Data Journalism Award was held, recognizing the work of journalists who use this information to independently investigate and critique public policies. The event not only values the work of the press but also highlights a commitment to freedom of expression, encouraging evidence-based journalism. The winners demonstrated how access to data can shed light on complex issues, ranging from traffic fines to legislative privileges, thereby strengthening democratic scrutiny. This article is relevant to the open data movement because it illustrates the necessary synergy between the technical infrastructure for data release and its practical application in investigative journalism. It shows that transparency is not an end in itself, but a tool for improving governance and citizen participation. The inclusion of awards and the collaborative selection of prioritized topics reflect an ecosystem in which open data drives accountability and democratizes access to public truth.

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Published on 2023-03-11