The Freedom of Information Act (IFG) has been a central instrument for transparency in Germany since 2006. It allows citizens, journalists, and organizations to request access to official information without stating a reason.
The federal government now wants to overturn this principle. After the coalition committee before the summer break, the Union and SPD agreed on three key changes: applicants must in future demonstrate a “legitimate interest,” the circle of eligible persons is to be limited to “natural persons,” and fees for IFG requests are to rise. Organizations like “FragDenStaat” could then no longer submit requests in their own name but would have to rely on private individuals.
Criticism from opposition and civil society
The plans are met with broad resistance.
The fundamental principle of unconditional access is being turned into its opposite.
Government cites security situation
The federal government rejects the criticism. The reform is necessary due to the “complex threat situation.”
However, the Federal Ministry of Finance cannot provide concrete statistics on the workload when asked by the F.A.Z.
The IFG already contains exceptions for security concerns. If there is still a need, a reform of the relevant paragraph is “possible and completely sufficient.”
Source: www.sueddeutsche.de
