The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reports a decline in lethal violence in Oaxaca, marking a ten-year low for intentional homicides. Although the state continues to exhibit rates above the national average, the recent trend suggests stabilization or improvement compared to previous years, contradicting the widespread perception of continuous increase. This statistical discrepancy with other federal sources highlights the complexity of monitoring public security and the need to harmonize measurement criteria among institutions. The significant divergence between INEGI data and those from the Executive Secretariat of the Federal Public Security System exposes structural problems in the collection and recording of official information. Relying on different administrative records, each agency generates distinct narratives about the same phenomenon, complicating the development of effective public policies and the transparency required by citizens. This lack of alignment demonstrates that the availability of data does not necessarily guarantee its coherence or immediate comparability. This case is relevant to the open data movement because it underscores the urgency of establishing uniform methodological standards and interoperability mechanisms among various government agencies. Real transparency requires not only publishing figures but also ensuring they come from integrated and verifiable sources. For open data to serve accountability and informed decision-making, it is essential that statistical agencies actively collaborate, eliminating gaps that allow for manipulation or contradictory interpretations of social reality.
Source:Published on 2023-07-27