The council of the Italian region of Puglia on Wednesday unanimously voted in favour of a law encouraging its public administrations to use free and open source software and to make publicly available its data. It is the first law that combines open source and open data, reports Leggi Oggi, an Italian legal news site.

The publication quotes council member Nicola Fratoianni, saying "the law is about the fundamental right of citizens to see what is behind a software application. To see how it works, to know the data and activities of public administrations."

The law grants citizens access to all the information and services provided electronically by public bodies. The news site writes the law promotes pluralism and ensures citizens' access and freedom to computerised public administrations. The law also helps to break down barriers created by software applications that don't use open standards.

The law also makes it mandatory for public administrations to share as open source all applications developed for them.

Leggi Oggi writes that the law could help reduce IT cost in the region by between 15 and 20 per cent.

The region of Puglia also aims to involve its universities, enterprises and citizens to help overcome barriers to the introduction of e-government services. Leggi Oggi, quoting councillor Fratoianni: "This public participation will be an important method for measuring the quality of democratic participation."

The law is a combination of several proposals put forward by the region's politicians last year.

More information:
Leggi Oggi news item (in Italian)
Joinup news item