Accountability, known in Anglo-Saxon terms as accountability, stands as a core value in the framework of modern Public Administration. In recent years it has significantly influenced how governments in Canada and the United States approach governance and public service delivery.
In the Valencian Community, both national and regional laws have left a strong imprint on how administration promotes political actions and ensures access to public information. This influence is echoed in broader North American practice, where open government and citizen scrutiny play pivotal roles in democratic life.
Transparency is not merely a principle; it is a critical tool in the fight against corruption. It implies accountability to citizens who elect representatives and hold public institutions to account. When administrations operate with complete openness and regularly publish detailed information about political activities, they invite public trust. In this sense, a transparent government behaves as if its walls are glass, inviting external observation and oversight of decisions and actions.
The public’s authority to request information from government bodies remains an essential issue that deserves wider social discussion. Anyone seeking data on the economic, political, legal, or contractual operations of a Public Administration can request information through the appropriate channels. While this right is more established in some jurisdictions, it is not universally recognized as a universal entitlement. Access is more common for researchers, journalists, lawyers, or academics who pursue informed inquiries about specific topics.
When an administration does not respond to a request for information, it triggers an administrative silence that varies by jurisdiction. Under the General Administrative System framework, silence often signifies that information has not been provided. In other regions, positive administrative silence can apply, meaning that failure to respond within a reasonable period still yields access to information in certain bodies such as city halls or regional governments. Citizens retain recourse to file complaints with the appropriate transparency or governance councils, including those within national and regional authorities, should information be withheld or delayed without justification.
Public administrations are required to maintain a transparency portal. Moreover, any organization that receives public funds, even as grants, should maintain a public-facing portal that clearly shows the total amount of funding received, down to the last euro or cent. This level of detail strengthens accountability and enables informed public judgment.
Recognizing the variation in information technology capabilities across administrations, smaller municipalities or agencies with limited staff may need additional support to build and sustain robust transparency portals. Enthusiasm for transparency must be matched with practical governance and steady, long‑term implementation rather than brief, intense efforts that leave information gaps. Some jurisdictions update portals gradually, while others pursue mandatory disclosures as a rule of law. Clarity and consistency are essential to ensure that citizens can compare transparency across different bodies and regions.
Despite advances, there remains a need to articulate a standardized system for measuring transparency. If metrics are inconsistent or poorly defined, comparisons lose meaning and the public loses trust. A unified approach to quantifying transparency would help high‑quality governance be recognized and rewarded across different rankings and associations, including non‑profit and watchdog organizations. Without reliable measurement, valuable insights and improvements can be missed.
Transparency should be taught and explained in the education system so that future generations understand its importance. The public visibility of administrative actions legitimizes the work of public managers and strengthens citizenship as a whole. A citizenry that understands and participates in oversight can evaluate government performance at the ballot box and influence policy through informed voting. In this way, transparency becomes a durable pillar of democratic governance in both North American contexts and beyond.