Conclusion

Conclusion

The Knight Commission report makes some forceful recommendations about the need for informed communities, especially as the Internet and mobile applications transform how people receive and react to life-changing information. As stated in the report, “public information belongs to the public.” And, “the public’s business should be done in public.” Relevant, timely, and accurate information is a critical element of this movement and essential to a well-functioning democracy. The strategies in this paper are all points that seek to improve the viability of our communities through greater democratic participation and civic engagement. As stewards of our democracy, government leaders must facilitate better access and use of community information and the means for interpretation to enhance the common good. As suggested in this paper, open government initiatives offer an exciting step forward to making it easier for the public to know what governments are doing, participate in the decision-making process and fully engage in the civic life of their communities. ICT and broadband Internet will continue to enhance these critical elements of our information democracy as more citizens become informed and equipped to participate more fully in the formation of public policy.

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