African Media Ethics and Regulation (Media/Philosophy/Social) | 12 September 2011
Open Data Initiatives and Governance Transparency in Libya: A Methodological Approach
S, a, l, e, m, A, l, -, K, h, a, z, r, a, j, i, ,, H, a, s, s, a, n, A, l, -, S, u, w, a, i, d, i
Abstract
Open Data Initiatives in Libya have been introduced to enhance transparency and accountability in governance, reflecting a growing global trend towards open data as a tool for democratic engagement. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative analysis through statistical modelling with qualitative insights from interviews and document reviews. Specifically, we use logistic regression to analyse the impact of Open Data Initiatives on governance transparency, accounting for potential confounding variables using robust standard errors. A notable proportion (35%) of Libyan government websites now include open data portals, indicating a significant increase in accessibility and public engagement with governmental information over the past two years. However, challenges persist regarding data quality and user-friendliness. While Open Data Initiatives are expanding, their effectiveness in fostering governance transparency remains uneven, suggesting the need for tailored strategies to address specific contextual issues. Libyan policymakers should focus on improving data quality and accessibility to maximise the benefits of open data initiatives. Additionally, stakeholder collaboration is essential for ensuring user-friendly interfaces that meet public needs. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin<em>{\theta}\sum</em>i\ell(y<em>i,f</em>\theta(x<em>i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert</em>2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.