Why do government agencies need websites

Specifically, these interactions are frequently:. These are among the key findings of a Pew Internet and American Life Project survey of how Americans interact with government online. Some of the other findings from this research:. Recently, many government agencies have begun making data such as agency spending, visitor logs or political donations available to citizens as a way to encourage openness and transparency in government.

At least when it comes to the federal government, these government data users tend to have more positive attitudes towards government openness and accountability. However, political ideology and partisan affiliations tend to outweigh this effect. On the other hand, Republican voters tend to cast a skeptical eye towards government openness whether they get this type of data online or not.

Use of government services and information online is most common among Americans with high incomes and education levels. While many Americans interact with government using online channels, this engagement is not evenly distributed across the online population—particularly when it comes to income and education. High-income and well-educated internet users are much more likely than those with lower levels of income and education to interact with government using many of the online channels we evaluated in our survey.

There are also racial differences in the use of online government services. However, these differences are more modest when it comes to completing basic transactions and information searches on government websites, and minority internet users are just as likely as whites to get information about government agencies using tools such as email, blogs, online video or social networking sites.

Government use of social media offers the potential to reach currently underserved populations, such as minority groups. As noted above, African Americans and Latinos are just as likely as whites to use tools such as blogs, social networking sites and online video to keep up with the workings of government.

They also have very different attitudes towards the use of social media tools by government agencies and officials. A key objective of the reforms to the Freedom of Information Act FOI Act was to facilitate and promote disclosure of information held by government promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost s 3 4. The FOI Act sets out a formal process by which a person may exercise that right to obtain access to documents. Importantly, however, the FOI Act also declares that Parliament does not intend to discourage agencies and ministers from making information they hold available in other ways s 3A 2.

There is strong evidence that the formal FOI Act processes work more effectively if supplemented by other forms of access to information. Agency websites play an important role in informing the public about the FOI Act and helping people exercise their rights under the Act. They can also play an important role in advancing the objectives of open government more broadly by promoting other forms of access to information.

Since this guidance was issued in March , some agencies have advised that the increased focus on their websites on the FOI Act has led members of the public away from existing informal methods of accessing information that do not require an FOI request. Administrative access schemes are widely used by agencies to provide personal and case file information to applicants, but are also used increasingly to answer information requests from the public.

Using the FOI process rather than an administrative access scheme can be inefficient for agencies and may provide no benefit to the applicant. The OAIC endorses two means for doing this:. This guidance describes the broad principles underpinning both approaches and provides specific guidance on implementing them, as well as two separate model webpages agencies can choose from to serve as a template for their own website. The model web pages at the end of this guidance contain identical suggested text about the FOI process.

The headings and content description should be understandable to the general public. The webpage should draw attention to any available administrative access schemes.

An example, provided for under s 15A of the FOI Act, is an administrative arrangement allowing current or former agency employees to access personnel records without making an FOI request. Another example could be an arrangement allowing members of the public to quickly access personal information, such as case files that an agency holds about them.

Using readily identifiable icons helps to ensure those pages are easily discoverable and that a consistent approach is adopted across government. The icons are available for download in a variety of formats suitable for print and online use. Alternative formats are available upon request by completing our online enquiry form. If agencies need to resize the icons, they should do so proportionally so that the text remains legible. Agencies using the OAIC-developed icons must ensure that they comply with whole-of-government online accessibility requirements by appropriate alternative text that accompanies the icon.

We make a range of information available for public access. Alternately we can give you certain information if you request it through other access arrangements we have set up, as outlined below. Most requests for information or copies of documents can be dealt with informally and quickly — a phone call or email may be all that is required. The Information Commissioner recommends that agencies devise procedures for administrative access, based on the Administrative Access web page.

You can ask to see or be given a copy of any personal information we hold about you. The procedures for requesting access to personal information may be a part of the Administrative Access procedures referred to under the previous heading.

Current and former agency employees can obtain access to their employment record [insert details about the agency-specific scheme]. You may make an FOI request after 30 days if you are not satisfied with our response. Partnering with multiple vendors to plug-in tools for document access, video players, photo galleries, calendars, etc. Working with one CMS to handle all digital requirements allows your website administrator to self-manage all content types using one intuitive solution with one contact for support services.

There are several providers out there that specialize in developing websites. However, the needs of businesses and bloggers is far different than that of a city, township, or county.

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