Open Government Data and Public Transparency in Local Governance: Evidence from Yogyakarta City Government

Abstract

The implementation of open government data has become an important initiative in promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. By providing public access to government datasets, open data platforms allow citizens, researchers, and civil society organizations to obtain information about government activities and evaluate public policy implementation. This study aims to examine the role of open government data in improving transparency in local governance, with a focus on the implementation of open data initiatives by the Yogyakarta City Government. The study adopts a qualitative case study approach to explore how open data platforms are managed by local government institutions and how the available data is accessed and utilized by the public. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with government officials responsible for managing open data platforms and community members who utilize government datasets, supported by document analysis and observation of the open data portal. The findings indicate that open government data initiatives have improved public access to government information and strengthened transparency in local governance. Citizens and researchers are able to utilize available datasets to monitor government programs and analyze policy outcomes. However, several challenges remain, including limited public awareness of open data platforms, differences in digital literacy among citizens, and the need for stronger institutional capacity in managing and updating government datasets. The study highlights the importance of effective data management, public awareness, and institutional commitment in maximizing the potential of open government data as a tool for promoting transparency and accountability in local governance.