Section 10 of the GPRA Modernization Act directs U.S. federal agencies to publish their performance plans and reports in machine-readable format and that is good practice for agencies at all levels of government, worldwide.
As public agencies begin to apply that good practice, how can news media organizations leverage such information to support their business models?
Making performance plans and reports available in machine-readable formats can provide news media organizations with valuable data that they can leverage to enhance their reporting and support their business models in several ways:
- Data-driven Journalism: News organizations can use the machine-readable data to conduct in-depth analyses and investigations into government performance. They can uncover trends, identify areas of success or failure, and hold government agencies accountable for their actions. This type of data-driven journalism can attract more readers and subscribers who are interested in in-depth reporting.
- Visualization and Infographics: Machine-readable data can be used to create compelling visualizations and infographics that make complex government performance data more accessible to readers. Visual representations can help readers better understand the information and engage with it on a deeper level, increasing the appeal of news content.
- Customized Reporting and Alerts: News organizations can develop tools and platforms that allow users to customize their news experience based on specific government performance metrics. Users could set up alerts for changes in performance indicators or receive personalized reports tailored to their interests. This level of customization can increase user engagement and loyalty to the news organization.
- Comparative Analysis: By aggregating data from multiple government agencies, news organizations can provide comparative analysis across different sectors or regions. This comparative analysis can help readers understand how different agencies are performing relative to each other and identify best practices or areas in need of improvement.
- Subscription and Membership Models: Access to in-depth analysis and insights derived from machine-readable government performance data can be offered as premium content, incentivizing readers to subscribe or become members of the news organization. This can help news organizations diversify their revenue streams and reduce dependence on traditional advertising.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: News organizations can collaborate with data analytics firms, research institutions, or non-profit organizations to analyze and interpret government performance data. These partnerships can enhance the depth and credibility of reporting while also opening up opportunities for revenue-sharing or sponsorship deals.
Overall, leveraging machine-readable government performance data can enable news organizations to produce more insightful, engaging, and relevant content while also creating new opportunities to monetize their reporting efforts.
How about facilitating citizen/stakeholder input and feedback on public objectives?
Facilitating citizen and stakeholder input and feedback on public objectives is another valuable way news media organizations can leverage machine-readable government performance data. Here's how they can do it:
- Interactive Platforms: News organizations can develop interactive platforms or sections on their websites where citizens and stakeholders can access government performance data and provide their input and feedback. These platforms can include features such as comment sections, polls, and surveys to gather opinions and suggestions from the public.
- Crowdsourced Reporting: News organizations can crowdsource reporting by inviting citizens and stakeholders to contribute their observations and experiences related to government performance. This can help journalists uncover issues or trends that may not be readily apparent from the data alone, adding depth and context to their reporting.
- Community Engagement Events: News organizations can host community engagement events, such as town hall meetings or online forums, where citizens and stakeholders can discuss government performance data with journalists and policymakers. These events can foster dialogue, build trust, and empower citizens to actively participate in the governance process.
- Data Visualization Tools: News organizations can develop data visualization tools that allow citizens and stakeholders to explore government performance data in an intuitive and user-friendly manner. These tools can enable users to identify areas of concern, track progress over time, and visualize the impact of government policies on their communities.
- Collaborative Reporting Projects: News organizations can collaborate with citizen journalism initiatives, advocacy groups, or community organizations to conduct collaborative reporting projects focused on government performance. By pooling resources and expertise, these collaborations can amplify the voices of citizens and stakeholders and drive positive change.
- Policy Advocacy Campaigns: Armed with insights from citizen input and feedback, news organizations can launch advocacy campaigns aimed at influencing public policy and decision-making. By highlighting areas of public concern and proposing actionable solutions, news organizations can help shape the agenda and hold policymakers accountable.
Overall, by facilitating citizen and stakeholder input and feedback on public objectives, news media organizations can strengthen democratic participation, foster transparency and accountability, and empower communities to actively engage in the governance process.
