Digitalisation of Mechanisms for Ensuring Access to Public Information under the Conditions of the Transformation of Public Administration in Ukraine

Abstract

The article examines the problem of digitalisation of mechanisms for ensuring access to public information in the context of the transformation of Ukraine’s public administration system. The significance of this research stems from the necessity to ensure the openness, transparency, and accountability of public authorities in the context of the ongoing development of the digital society and the widespread adoption of e-government and digital technologies in public administration. The purpose of the article is to investigate the peculiarities of the digitalisation of mechanisms for ensuring access to public information in Ukraine, to analyse the current state of digitalisation of the information access system, and to substantiate directions for improving mechanisms for ensuring access to public information under the conditions of the digital transformation of public administration. The study analyses contemporary scientific approaches to ensuring access to public information, the digitalisation of public administration, the development of e-governance, information openness of public authorities, and the implementation of digital mechanisms of interaction between the state and citizens. The peculiarities of the use of modern information and communication technologies, electronic services, digital platforms, open data, and e-democracy tools in the activities of public authorities are examined. It has been established that contemporary scientific approaches are mainly focused on specific aspects of the digital transformation of public administration, while the issue of comprehensive digitalisation of mechanisms for ensuring access to public information requires further systematic research. The article identifies a system of mechanisms for ensuring access to public information, including legal, organisational and institutional, digital and communication, socio-participatory, personnel, and security mechanisms. Their main components and functional purposes within the public administration system are determined. The current state of digitalisation of mechanisms for ensuring access to public information in Ukraine is investigated, and the main problems of their functioning are identified, including the fragmentation of digital infrastructure, insufficient integration of state information systems, uneven levels of digitalisation of public authorities, cybersecurity risks, and digital inequality among the population. The scientific value of the study lies in the proposed author’s structural and functional model of digitalisation of mechanisms for ensuring access to public information, which integrates the system of information access mechanisms with a methodological toolkit for assessing the level of digital maturity of public administration and takes into account contemporary external factors of digital transformation. As a result of the study, it is concluded that the effectiveness of digitalisation of mechanisms for ensuring access to public information depends on the level of development of e-governance, the integration of digital systems, the digital competencies of public servants, the level of digital inclusiveness, and the provision of information security. Directions for improving mechanisms for ensuring access to public information under the conditions of the digital transformation of public administration in Ukraine are substantiated.