Transparency, Open Government, Accountability and Open Data are currently buzzwords in the public scene worldwide, but particularly in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. These words are present in government initiatives, party manifestos, activist''s campaigns and the press. Government statements on this topic are bold and ambitious. This paper will look at the rise of the open government data movement. First, it will provide a basic conceptualisation of Transparency, Accountability and Access to Information in the “online world”. Then, it will turn to analyse the “open government data” movement, its agenda and stakeholders. Second, it will look at the current arrangements in terms of governance of public information, focusing in the UK experience and addressing three challenges: formats, reusability and proactive transparency. Third, it will look at the possible impact of open government data policies in the public sector, particularly in terms of public management. Finally it will show the link between access to information and the open government data movement providing a framework to relate both concepts arguing that if certain conditions are met a new “web” institution is in the making.
