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The article highlights a severe and ongoing decline in government transparency, with public records request fulfillment rates plummeting significantly over the past decade. Federal agencies are now denying or failing to provide requested information far more often than in the past, driven by bureaucratic backlogs, outdated record-keeping systems, and an increased reliance on secrecy exemptions. This trend persists across different political administrations, indicating that growing secrecy is a structural issue rather than a temporary political strategy. The implications for society are profound, as open data directly correlates with better public health, safety, and lower taxes. Access to government records allows citizens to hold officials accountable, monitor essential services like water quality and education, and reduce corruption. When information is withheld, the public loses the ability to make informed decisions about their communities and families, undermining the foundational trust between the government and the people it serves. This piece is critically relevant to open data because it demonstrates that mere existence of data is insufficient without guaranteed accessibility. It advocates for practical solutions, such as independent oversight bodies and clear documentation of record sourcing, to combat opacity. By illustrating how high fees and procedural obstacles deter citizens and journalists from accessing public information, the article underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure that open data remains truly open and usable for democratic accountability.

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Published on 2024-03-25

Open Data

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