CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATISATION OF INFORMATION
CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATISATION OF INFORMATION
While there is consensus that information needs to reach everyone, there are several barriers that need to be surmounted.
These barriers include:
- Economic Barriers – Certain sections of citizens may not be able to pay for the cost of information even though it is available. CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATISATION OF INFORMATION
- IT Infrastructure Barriers – Communication infrastructure may not be available leading to poor accessibility. The table below shows internet penetration for India, China, Russia and United States. India lags in this area.
- Language Barriers – Information should be available in a language that is understood by the citizens.
- Other Barriers – These include government organisation barriers. Also, many people need assistance in accessing/understanding information due to factors like illiteracy and disability.
Data needs to be managed in a way that it is easily processed and presented to people through multiple channels. The cost of information includes the cost of media (print, electronic etc), cost of collating data, administrative costs etc.
Public authorities need to plan proactively to identify and manage these costs. A cultural change to bring about openness has become necessary. CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATISATION OF INFORMATION
| BENEFITS OF INFORMATION SHARING | |
| Benefit to governments | Benefit to the public |
| Contributing to improved service | Citizens get access to the right government |
| delivery to the public. | services more easily and quickly. |
| Gains in efficiency and effectiveness | Citizens’ contact details can be updatedbi–1 |
| through reduction in repetition of | one department and shared with others, |
| information collection and management. | saving time in having to register in multiple |
| locations for government services.
_____ |
|
| Improved capability for evidence-based | Public services are provided where they are |
| policy and decision-making. | most needed. |
| Better informed cross-jurisdictional | Making it easier for the public to access ‘ |
| initiatives between State governments. | different government services, across all |
| levels of government. | |
| Improved transparency of government | Providing citizens with a better idea of how |
| practices. | government manages their information and |
| its business. | |
| Enhanced communication across | Citizens will not have to navigate the |
| government and related sectors. | different areas and levels of government |
| before they can access vital government | |
| services. | |
| Greater confidence in the data quality | Services are provided to the right person, at |
| and accessibility. | the right time, in the right place. |
| Increase understanding of diverse | Citizens have a better idea of which part of |
| government operations. | government to approach for which service. |
CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATISATION OF INFORMATION
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