Government Communications and Transparency

Two recent articles raise important issues about how government entities are using, or should be using, new technologies to deliver information to citizens. Joe Moye over at Government Technology explains that governments would do well to seek out private sector solutions to data sharing and effective communication with end users. This point is nothing new [pdf], but it seems many government entities are just now catching on with a willingness to partner with or emulate private enterprise with better access to electronic records, online account management for services, and, finally, interactive communication, exemplified by the Gov2.0 movement.

Ed Felton takes the idea of the government-copying-business one step further, suggesting a more effective way for governments' data to be accessible in usable ways is to let the private sector do the job for the government. That is, let the government work on making the data clean, consistent, and exposed for the taking, so companies with quite a bit more expertise, and maybe a little stakeholder liability incentivising their work, can turn it into something useful.

Once governments figure out how to keep private data private, and public data reachable, they will have to be sure that the information and communication flows in ways that won't open up new liabilities. Will derivatives of government data fall under existing records retention laws? Will government efforts to channel communication in response to greater transparency infringe citizens freedom of speech? Will terms of service agreements with third-party data users comport with government standards against indemnity and in favor of their own immunity? Some entities are making careful and purposeful progress in online communication and information-sharing with residents, while others forge ahead haphazardly to jump on the new technology bandwagon. Which way is your local government headed?