As we move forward in the development of broadband, we continue to see unanticipated benefits that come as added bonuses. One benefit of broadband deployment is greater government transparency and easier access to public records.
A recent 50-state survey shows the need for government agencies to make more information accessible online.
The study looked at categories of information and whether the public could assess timely information in of each those categories free of charge.
Only one state, Texas, provided information online in all 20 categories surveyed. New Jersey came in second with information available in 18 categories. North Carolina was third with 17.
Mississippi ranked last.
Meanwhile, in Seoul, South Korea, residents have access to over 300 government services through their TVs and an HD cable box/modem/video player. Push a button on a remote control, renew a driver’s license.
In the U.S., we should be doing better. Consider yourself lucky to live in a state where you can find a death certificate online.
At the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, we see feel broadband technologies as can be a great catalyst for free and widespread access to public records online. Freedom of information, and democracy itself, can only be advanced when public records are freely available without cost or hassle.
