Digital platforms: mechanisms of access to information at the subnational level (Veracruz 2000-2018)

Authors

Abstract

The right of access to public information is vital for democracy. Transparency and accountability, allows citizens make better decisions. Therefore, the objective of this text is to provide an approach to the Infomex System and the National Transparency Platform (PNT) as a mechanisms of access to public information, due to, they represent a little-studied tool that is available to the population and, with it, open the spectrum to new research objects. To comply with this, the process through which these platforms emerge as devices that should favor access to information at all levels is exposed, but focuses on the subnational level, specifically in Veracruz. This, from the discussion and promulgation of the transparency laws in Mexico and in the Veracruz state, till to the use of these digital mechanisms. This through a mixed methodology with emphasis on a documentary analysis enriched by specialized bibliography, a hemerographic tracking, the review of documentation from the State Congress, the Federation’s Official Gazette and responses to information´s access request. The conclusion is that there persist failures towards transparency and access to information such as lack of statistical information, technical failures and deficits in the response capacity of the systems, essential for their evaluation and improvements.

Keywords:

democracy, access to public information, subnational studies