OPENberichten

OPENberichten is a term used in Dutch-language contexts to denote the practice, concept, or platform of publishing open, machine-readable messages intended for public access. The name combines "open" with "berichten" (messages) and is applied to initiatives that seek to make official communications, notices, and public information available in formats that are free to use, reuse, and remix.

Core principles include the use of open standards and non-proprietary formats (such as JSON, XML, or RSS), permissive licensing (for example, CC0 or supportive open licenses), machine readability, and rich metadata to enable discoverability and interoperability. Messages are typically timestamped, versioned, and linked with persistent identifiers. Accessibility and multilingual support are also emphasized to ensure inclusivity.

Applications of OPENberichten range from municipal and government notices, policy consultations, and budget or legislative announcements to emergency alerts and civil-society communications. By exposing notices through open APIs, portals, or data feeds, OPENberichten aims to improve transparency, citizen engagement, and efficiency in public information workflows.

Governance structures often involve public sector data or communications offices, sometimes in collaboration with open-data communities and standards bodies. Compliance with privacy, security, and accessibility requirements is common, along with ongoing efforts to align with broader open-government and open-data principles.

Critics point to potential privacy concerns, the digital divide, and the need for quality controls in open feeds, while supporters emphasize interoperability, accountability, and innovation. See also open data, open standards, public notice, and open government.