Screen level bureaucracy: Databases as public records

Providing better service by automating “business processes” is an exciting prospect for improving the government. Yet, there has not been the same level of effort at making it easier for the public to obtain information about what its government is doing. This article focuses on the constraints and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Government information quarterly 2004, Vol.21 (1), p.24-50
Main Author: Landsbergen, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access
Access to information
Citizens
Data Banks
Data base systems
Freedom of Information
Government
Government and politics
Government information
Government use
Information Dissemination
Information policy
Information processing systems
Information Technology
Legislation
United States
USA
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Summary:Providing better service by automating “business processes” is an exciting prospect for improving the government. Yet, there has not been the same level of effort at making it easier for the public to obtain information about what its government is doing. This article focuses on the constraints and opportunities in making database information available to the public. The database technology is chosen because it is a central repository of public information. New federal law requires the use of information technology (IT) to make access to public information easier. But the new law has also subtly shifted the burden of proof to the citizen in showing why certain information should be made available. If a “statutory fix” to this problem is not available in the short run, we urge agencies to provide increased access to database information because of the continual development of technology and its effect on citizen expectations.
ISSN:0740-624X
1872-9517
DOI:10.1016/j.giq.2003.12.009