Information Sharing and Transparency — Definition

Definition

Information sharing is the provision of relevant knowledge or records to people who need them for a legitimate purpose. Transparency in public administration makes decisions, procedures and the use of resources understandable and open to scrutiny.

It requires more than publishing a large quantity of data: information should be accurate, timely, accessible and supported by clear definitions. The purpose is to enable participation, accountability and correction.

Legitimate confidentiality and privacy still require careful handling under applicable law. A defensible system distinguishes what should be disclosed, to whom, in what form and with which reasons when access is limited.