A recent survey of 2,500 U.S. city department heads suggests that there are varying attitudes toward public data transparency nationally.  

Published in the latest issue of the Government Information Quarterly, the survey, led by Mary Feeney of Arizona State University, found that city department heads were generally in favor of releasing public records such as restaurant inspection reports and real estate transactions.

The study also highlighted a significant difference in data openness between departments. City managers, particularly those in mayors’ offices, were found to be more comfortable with releasing data compared to officials in other departments. Among public safety agencies, police departments stood out as the most supportive of posting use-of-force data.

However, even in agencies that proactively published data, officials expressed more hesitation when it came to more sensitive data like criminal records and teacher performance, showcasing clear boundaries when it comes to sharing information that could potentially embarrass individuals. 

One interesting find: political leanings of the community had little to no influence on department heads’ attitudes toward open data. Often times, officials from more conservative communities tended to show greater support for publishing criminal records, suggesting a nuanced approach to data transparency that varies by both location and type of information.

The key takeaway from this research is that because there is inconsistency of attitude, in many cases, the caretaker of the records is not necessarily the most protective of the information.

Posted: February 6, 2025
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner FOI Project, Brechner Freedom of Information Project, Government Transparency, public records