Information technology gives the authorities a very powerful tool to strengthen the rule of law. Information technology, however, does not change fundamental principles of law and ethics. Information technology offers vast new possibilities in the gathering, editing, publishing and distribution of information in an electronic format as well as new possibilities in communications. Updating of information is faster and easier than before. Information can be made more accessible by providing the user with search facilities, i.e., searches by words or categories.
Appropriate interfaces make information retrieval much more user-friendly than before.
Communications between citizens and their government can be made easier. Both citizens and the government can enjoy cost advantages if the new technology is employed correctly. More extensive use of government information is possible, without limiting benefits to any one member of society. However, it is important to note that the benefits of information technology in reinforcing democracy depend, to a great extent, on what facilities citizens have, i.e., computer literacy and access to computers. An increased amount of governmental information available through the new media will not reinforce democracy if there is neither common computer literacy nor easy access to computers for each and every citizen.