This research aims to design and elucidate a data governance model in smart government organizations, with an emphasis on information and media management within the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO). In the digital age, data is recognized as a strategic asset for government organizations, necessitating proper governance for maximum utilization and mitigation of associated risks. The current study employs a mixed-methods approach (qualitative-quantitative), utilizing grounded theory, expert interviews, document analysis, and surveys. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 specialists and senior managers from IDRO. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 162 experts and middle managers of IDRO. The research findings led to the identification of 6 main dimensions, 15 components, and 57 indicators for the data governance model in IDRO. The identified dimensions include: Structure and Organization, Processes and Methods, Technology and Infrastructure, Human Resources, Organizational Culture, and Information and Media Management. The findings revealed a significant relationship between information and media management and other dimensions of data governance, with the information and media management dimension playing a crucial role in the success of IDRO’s data governance model, exhibiting a direct effect coefficient of 0.78. Finally, a paradigmatic data governance model for IDRO is presented, along with practical strategies for its implementation.