Public Access to Government Information in the Digital Age: Findings from China

Sun Yu; Dang Shengcui; Fang Bin; Zhao Qiuyan

doi:10.1007/s40483-014-0010-9

Public Access to Government Information in the Digital Age: Findings from China

Korean Social Science Journal
Abbr : KSSJ
2014, 41(1), pp.1-17
DOI : 10.1007/s40483-014-0010-9
Publisher : Korean Social Science Research Council
Research Area : Social Science > Social Science in general

Sun Yu ¹, Dang Shengcui ¹, Fang Bin ¹, Zhao Qiuyan ¹

¹Beijing Normal University

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The openness of government information is an unavoidable issue in the digitalage. The Chinese government makes great effort to publish administrative information andseek advice on good governance from the general public, but is nonetheless unable to meetcitizens’ legitimate demands for the right to know and participate. This study analyzes thiscontradiction from four angles: the driving force, the type of information, the accessplatform, and the annual examination and supervision system for government informationdisclosure. The findings showed that (a) netizens’ heavy pressure rather than Chineseauthorities’ strong leadership pushes forward the disclosure of government information;(b) administrative information concerning the public agenda rather than the policy agendabest meets the needs of the general public; (c) commercial Weibo websites are a moresatisfactory channel than official government websites for practical requests; and (d) as aunique institutional arrangement for examination and supervision, the annual report ongovernment information disclosure should be standardized.

KEYWORDS

Open government information, Proactive disclosure, Public agenda, Weibo, Annual report, China

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

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Korean Social Science Journal 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.06

Public Access to Government Information in the Digital Age: Findings from China

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* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

Korean Social Science Journal 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.06

Public Access to Government Information in the Digital Age: Findings from China

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* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.