Who's behind the news?
Who's behind the news?
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Newsjunkie.net is a resource guide for journalists. We show who's behind the news, and provide tools to help navigate the modern business of information.
Use of Data
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The Association of Public Data Users (APDU) is a longstanding nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the use, transparency, and integrity of public data in the United States. Founded in 1974, APDU was created to bring together the diverse community of data producers, analysts, researchers, policymakers, and advocates who rely on federal statistical systems and administrative data. Over nearly five decades, it has become a central hub for dialogue, education, and policy engagement around the production and use of public data.
APDU’s membership spans government analysts, academic researchers, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, and private-sector statisticians. What sets APDU apart is its role as a professional convener: it creates space for people who use and interpret public statistics to share best practices, discuss emerging challenges, and collaborate on solutions. The organization’s activities include webinars, conferences, training workshops, and public forums that highlight developments in federal data policy, methodological innovations, and threats to open data infrastructure.
Unlike many nonprofits with large staffs, APDU operates primarily through volunteer leadership and an active board, with no paid employees listed on recent nonprofit filings. This lean operational model reflects both its mission and its community-driven ethos: APDU serves as a network and forum rather than a large service provider. Participants contribute expertise, organize events, and help shape agenda priorities that reflect the evolving needs of data users.
At its core, APDU’s mission is to promote responsible collection, dissemination, preservation, and use of public data. It advocates for robust federal statistical systems, accessible data platforms, and policies that ensure data quality and equity. Through education, advocacy, and community building, APDU works to ensure that public data remains a reliable foundation for research, policy analysis, and informed democratic decision-making.