Should Data be Shared Freely?

Texts of General Interest (link)

Dr. James Manos (MD)

January 1, 2018

Should information be shared freely?

Information is accessible throughout the media, international magazines, and the internet. However, not all data is publicly available, as some information can be tracked down through online or printed editions only by paying subscription fees. Moreover, in many cases, data may not be available, as it may be considered too confidential to be shared. However, many allege that this should not be the case, but access to information should be free and available to all. Therefore, there is a controversy about whether data should be freely accessible.

Undoubtedly, we live in the century of information, as data travels worldwide, and online access to it is immediate owing to the advent of the internet. Knowledge is essential in scientific research, business, and the academic world, as it fuels the progress of investigation. However, this is a matter of debate.

The exponents of free access to data support that information is mandatory for the progress of society. Consequently, they claim that everything should be shared publicly, and nothing should be kept secret. They also believe that access to data should be accessible to everyone, without subscription charges to online scientific magazines and publications.

The opponents of free access to everything argue that information is sometimes too valuable or even classified to be shared. They may refer to information classified for assorted reasons, including energy, telecommunications, and military research. For example, it may involve patented studies used by companies not keen to share their patents with other companies. Secondly, they claim that information based on studies should not be free of charge, as when it is chargeable, it funds research that is very costly to undertake.

It is crucial that all data should be available for everyone and should be shared freely. The main reason is that this is how the academic world works: by sharing information. That is particularly important to scientific research, built on previous studies' foundations. Free access to all data is also essential for businesses as their progress is based on information, especially innovative technology. The only exception someone may consider is classified military and national intelligence that should be kept secret for security reasons.          

Everything considered, there is a controversy about sharing all the available information and whether this should be free of charge. However, it is evident that data should be shared publicly and their access to be free, as this is mandatory for the development of the academic world, scientific research, business, and trade. It is essential for the growth and prosperity of society.


Thanks for reading!