Open Government Data and the Right to Information: Opportunities and Obstacles

Abstract

This article discusses the relationship between the open government data (OGD) movement and the right to information (RTI) movement. While both movements are closely related, there are some differences that may have a considerable impact on the right of the citizen to access government information. The article argues that the calls for OGD may on the one hand risk limiting the access to government information, while on the other hand they may also provide an alternative source of access to information for existing freedom of information legislation, which is being threatened in some countries.