nonreporting

Nonreporting is the absence or withholding of data, information, or disclosures that are expected to be provided by individuals, organizations, or institutions. It describes a situation in which reporting obligations are not fulfilled, either fully or in a timely manner, leading to incomplete or biased evidence for decision-making.

In government and public administration, nonreporting can involve budgetary, performance, or event data that agencies are required to publish. In finance and business, it includes the failure to disclose material facts, financial results, or regulatory filings. In health and safety, adverse events or surveillance data may be underreported, affecting public health responses. In research and journalism, nonreporting can arise from selective disclosure, editorial decisions, or censorship.

Causes vary: intentional concealment for reputational or legal risk, administrative complexity, limited resources, or privacy protections. Consequences include data gaps, reduced transparency, misinformed policy, increased uncertainty, and erosion of trust. Nonreporting can interact with nonresponse in surveys and contribute to biases that skew analyses and conclusions.

Responses focus on strengthening reporting laws and penalties, improving access to data, standardizing formats, and using incentives or penalties to encourage compliance. Technological solutions, such as digital reporting systems and automated audits, can reduce omissions. Safeguards include privacy protections, data governance, and independent oversight. Researchers may study nonreporting through audit studies, compliance analyses, and data reconciliation to assess its prevalence and impact.