This must-see speech by Carl Malamud at O’Reilly’s Gov 2.0 Summit just scratches the surface of opportunities for sharing with “the people” information locked up at all levels of American government. I agree with his premise that the Internet’s potential for opening up government is vast. Yet contrary to populist rhetoric from our leaders, since 9/11/2001 government has shifted openness into reverse gear. Just try to visit any federal worker at her office or request a document under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and you’ll see what I mean. For data, analogous barriers prevail, albeit more subtle.
Mr. Malamud isn’t just talk: he pioneered the publication of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) data on the Web. Should he make headway in opening up our court records, my hat is off to him. Bravo, Mr. Malamud.