Belén Muñiz Villanueva: Without reliable data, there is no solid democracy | El Correo

Belén Muñiz Villanueva: Without reliable data, there is no solid democracy | El Correo

The crisis of confidence in official information, exacerbated by disinformation and the proliferation of unverified data, underscores the urgency of revitalizing the credibility of statistical institutions. Although these institutions were established in response to serious errors in macroeconomic data management, the objectives of European Statistics Day remain highly relevant in today’s reality, where society often prioritizes subjective perceptions or partial figures over rigorous evidence. This neglect has direct consequences for the quality of public debate and decision-making, as seen in complex issues such as housing, where the lack of standardized definitions generates biases and hinders comparability. Moreover, the absence of precise official indicators forces reliance on imprecise estimates, highlighting the need to develop new statistical methodologies that capture changing social phenomena with rigor and international transparency. The relevance of this article to open data lies in demonstrating that data transparency and reliability are not merely technical issues, but fundamental pillars of a robust democracy. Without access to robust and open official information, both public administrations, citizens, and the private sector lack the necessary foundations to diagnose real problems and design effective policies. Therefore, promoting open statistics is essential to counter uncertainty and foster evidence-based decision-making in an increasingly complex society.

Source: elcorreo.com
Published on 2026-10-20