In order to meet the objectives of published information, the characteristics indicated in the box on the right should be considered.
For further information on each of the elements, please consult the publication Legislative transparency toolkit (p.59).
Communication and accessibility tools
An “open” parliament means that deliberations are materially open to the public. To facilitate this action, parliaments should incorporate strategies utilizing the media, platforms, social networks, and other internet tools to support their dissemination and access strategies. The main tools used for the purpose mentioned above are presented in the table to the left.
Accessibility on parliamentary web pages
With regard to accessibility and usability, the World e-Parliament Report 2018 of the Inter-Parliamentary Union indicates that parliaments have implemented a series of good practices and standards that ensure the usability of a website, in order make it intuitively easier to browse and more accessible to users with different needs. These good practices are shown in the table on the right.
Relationship with the media
For the dissemination of parliamentary information, it is important for legislatures to maintain close ties with the media in their country. Parliaments in the region and in the world have not only provided spaces in their institutions for the national and international press, but have also held workshops with journalists on the work of parliament and existing mechanisms for searching for legislative information.
Social media are a set of internet-based tools used to contact, share, and interact with other actors in a convenient manner and time. The main characteristic of these applications is their interaction-oriented design; that is, users of these tools seek conversations, stories, and entertainment, but above all, personal contact.
With regard to parliaments, social media is used to meet the following objectives indicated in the box on the right. For further information on each of the elements, please consult the publication Legislative transparency toolkit (p.60).
One specific role that has been assigned to the processes of disclosing and disseminating information is the educational role. In this regard, parliaments primarily carry out an educational mission by preparing and delivering information appropriately, taking into account that citizens are not familiar with their actions.
Legislatures that take these requirements into account, with the aim of providing tools that allow the public to better understand their work, their organic structure, and other specific characteristics, have developed educational platforms to deliver content and educational tools that support civic learning.
These platforms have educational resources for children and teachers, understanding that teachers play a necessary and integral role in imparting knowledge to children and young people.
Some practical examples can be found below. For a more exhaustive list, we invite you to consult the Legislative transparency toolkit (pp.63-64).
The European Parliament website provides access to media accreditation requirements, among other established requirements, such as the rules of conduct to be followed by the media.
The “Information for Media” section includes a centralized repository with precise information and resources on the House and its members to support the work of the media.
The section dedicated to work with the press provides information on the regulations governing work with the media and access to parliamentary information.
Some practical examples can be found below. For a more exhaustive list, we invite you to consult the Legislative transparency toolkit (pp.64-65).
The Accessibility Coordination Office provides multimedia content and other information resources to disseminate its standards for accessibility from the Chamber of Deputies.
The “Multilingualism” section contains the treaties and regulations for parliament activity in the 24 official languages.
The Office of Accessibility Services offers services for people living with disabilities, including adaptive tours of the Capitol building, wheelchair loans, and sign language interpreting services for people with hearing impairments.
Some practical examples can be found below. For a more exhaustive list, we invite you to consult the Legislative transparency toolkit (p.65).
The NewsHub Platform provides information on MEPs, political groups, the Parliament president, and the European Parliament news services.
The “Quick Access” section presents the social media policy, which includes aspects related to content, moderation, and privacy.
The “Social Media” section of the online magazine “SenCa plus” includes the Senate’s posts on social media by session.
Some practical examples can be found below. For a more exhaustive list, we invite you to consult the Legislative transparency toolkit (pp.65-66).
The “Information for Media” section includes a centralized repository with precise information and resources on the House and its members to support the work of the media.
The Plenarinho portal presents information on the parliament, such as the law-making process and the parliamentary and political action, democracy and organization of the State of Brazil, using accessible and playful language.
The “Resources for Students” section presents educational resources on the parliament and the legislative process focused on students.
The following practices have been submitted by parliamentarians and related stakeholders, and describe techniques that can be applied to:
Comunication and accessability
