Nonprofit groups engaged in the public records group could benefit themselves, government agencies, and the public by collaborating more, according to a research article published in the latest issue of the Journal of Civic Information.

A team of researchers from the University of Washington, led by doctoral candidate Itza Carbajal, examined four nonprofit organizations that are heavily involved with public records: National Security Archive, MuckRock, Reclaim the Records, and the University of Washington Center for Human Rights.

The team noted how the four groups request, store and disseminate public records. They found that the groups often run into obstacles from hostile agencies, and also are sometimes challenged by sharing of data that might be considered private by some.

They recommend that groups work collaboratively to amplify their impact, ease the conflict between requesters and government, and develop communal agreements for disseminating sensitive data ethically.

The Journal of Civic Information is a free open-access online journal, published by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications since 2019.

Posted: October 2, 2024
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Journal of Civic Information, Secrecy Tracker