UK Government Turns to the Crowd for Input into its Freedom of Information Legislation
The UK’s Freedom of Information legislation creates a right of ‘public access’ to information held by public bodies.
Currently the government wants to hear views on how a draft code of practice to be used by local authorities can be enhanced and improved.
It has launched an open online consultation so that ultimately officials in public authorities will receive best guidance on how to discharge their duties in relation to information release.
The Value of Interactions
Participating individuals will see in real time what other people are saying, and perhaps be motivated to discuss and debate issues arising. The hope is that a good dialogue will be generated that leads to a better and stronger code of practice.
This approach, says the government is far more preferable than just having people send in their views to an email address, and having no idea of what other people are thinking.
As many open innovation practitioners know, it is the interaction of a diverse set of people who share a common interest that can really generate novel solutions and provide innovative answers to problems.
The Right to Data
Enhancing the right to data is a key driver of the UK government’s transparency agenda. Not only does it want to strengthen people’s access to that data, but also improve how it is used, and maximize its potential for economic and social growth.
The consultation process runs until 10 January 2013.
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