The Obama administration has made open government, through the use of technology and innovation, one of its high-profile goals.
And, recent poll numbers suggest there is a clear-cut strategic and political impetus for conducting government out in the open, so to speak.
Fast Company reports on a recent Pew research poll, which found that citizens are more satisfied with their local governments when they have better access to government information.
“Those who think local government does well in sharing information are also more likely to be satisfied with … the performance of government and other institutions, as well as the ability of the entire information environment in their community to give them the information that matters,†the report found.
For example, citizens who felt the government did a “very” or “pretty” good job of sharing information were three times more likely to be satisfied with city government.
But, open government carries its own complex set of challenges when applied to the federal level.
A recent Politico report found that congressional officers often have trouble connecting via social media outlets in no small part because it’s difficult to tell if a lawmaker’s Facebook friend or Twitter follower is actually a constituent.
But, Fast Company reports that some are still open to social media’s opportunities.
“Instead of seeing open government as a chore,†Fast Company conjectures, government leaders “might be wise to think about it as strategic campaign move.â€
