Public information problems in the implementation of public policy: The long road of the reflecting license plate in Belgium

During the last ten years in Belgium, government information policies have put public information provisions at the center of policymaking. However, the contemporary daily practice of public information provision tends to be seen as incidental to the policymaking process. The introduction of the reflecting license plate in Belgium is a prime example of a case in which little attention has been paid to the quality of public information during the ongoing policy process. First, we define the notion, quality of public information, as a necessary condition for the successful implementation of policy objectives. We then chronologically outline the main policy intentions and decisions, and we describe the factors hindering the smooth introduction of the license plate, focusing on those related to information provision. Finally, we examine whether the current public management reform in the Belgian Federal administration can improve the quality of information supplied during the ongoing policy process.