The government’s reform package includes restricting who can request information. In future, only natural persons with a legitimate interest who cannot obtain the information elsewhere would be entitled to access. Additionally, names of civil servants are to be redacted and fees adjusted.
The German Journalists’ Association (DJV) warns of serious consequences for press freedom. “Without the Freedom of Information Act, many scandals would never be uncovered,” said DJV federal chairman Mika Beuster. The Left party calls it an “attack on press freedom.” Left parliamentary deputy leader Clara Bünger said the government wants to “make itself unassailable.”
The transparency group FragDenStaat describes the plans as “the most severe attack on state transparency in the history of the Federal Republic.” The organizations Abgeordnetenwatch and Foodwatch also voice sharp criticism. The reform was already controversial during coalition negotiations; the Union and SPD had agreed on a reform “with added value for citizens and administration.”
Source: www.zdfheute.de
