Slate Money
Money Talks: The Disappearing Databases
Feb 18, 2025
Lizzie O’Leary, a savvy business journalist and host of What Next: TBD, dives into the alarming reduction of government databases during the Trump administration. She discusses how this trend threatens the reliability of economic data, which is essential for informed policy-making and public trust. The podcast also tackles the challenges statistical agencies face due to budget cuts and rising skepticism, emphasizing the critical role of accessible data in shaping economic understanding and maintaining a healthy democracy.
30:55
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Quick takeaways
- The significant reduction of government databases is undermining research and policymaking by limiting access to crucial health and environmental data.
- The increasing reliance on private statistical sources due to government data's declining credibility may threaten the integrity of economic measurement and governance.
Deep dives
The Impact of Data Deletion on Research and Policy
Significant reductions in government data availability have raised concerns regarding the impact on research and policymaking. A large number of government domains and webpages, particularly those related to health and environmental data, have gone offline, limiting access for researchers and public health officials. This loss of data is troubling as it impedes the ability to accurately assess and develop informed policies based on reliable statistics, which are crucial for various sectors. The removal of foundational data sets, such as census statistics, disrupts fundamental processes like congressional redistricting and funding allocations.
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