JMSC Research Seminar: Open Data Policies in Asia | Journalism and Media Studies Centre - The University of Hong Kong | Master of Journalism @ The University of Hong Kong

"Governments and information – around the world, it seems that governments have difficulties accepting the nature of data and information access and flows in a globally networked world. Restricting access to information and data, classifying information according to hierarchy and power levels, and general non-disclosure of information are all forms of interventions which may seem contradictory to the idea of an open and free information space enabled through the internet. In recent years, though, some governments have changed their information policies and discovered the opportunities of opening up instead of restricting access to information. These new policies adopted by advanced internet economies is based on Open Data, which means freely available and accessible, non-personal data. Many countries have in the past years changed their information laws and technical formats of public data databases. Open Data policies and practices in Asia, however, vary widely. The study draws on field research and interviews in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. What are the trends and developments in Open Data in Asia? Which countries make most use of the new Open Data in the region? The study was supported by Google Hong Kong.