News web sites unlock practically obscure public records.

from American Society of News Editors

There’s a fascinating world of all but hidden information out there waiting to be tapped. A growing number of news organizations are beginning to mine and manipulate that information, which in many instances rests in government records files that while public are, for practical purposes, obscure. The conversion by government units to electronic record keeping has not, in many instances, made it easier for the average reporter, let alone the average citizen, to get access to that information. And even when agencies post records online, the data is frequently difficult to find.

Media Web sites that have found ways to cull or link to this data are helping regular readers get information they want and need, and bringing new readers to their Web sites It’s a fresh way to deliver “news” that holds enormous potential to increase site visits and time spent, and to build a new allegiance as a source of essential information about neighborhood and community.

Some months ago, ASNE’s Freedom of Information Committee began a survey of newspaper Web sites, exploring their use of public records data. The initial goal was to establish a baseline of available records and make that report available so news organizations could use the information to push for greater online transparency in their communities and states.

In a parallel effort, the committee worked with Sunshine Week to put a spotlight on the availability, or in too many cases the unavailability of public records online.

This report was prepared by Pete Weitzel, a retired ASNE member, as part of a Freedom of Information Committee project assessing the use of public records databases by media Web sites. He was assisted by Nora Paul, director of the Institute for New Media Studies at the University of Minnesota and former Sunshine Week coordinator Debra Gersh Hernandez.

Read the rest of the summary and view the whole report on the ASNE site.