Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has asserted that maintaining transparency must remain a core priority during the reform of the Freedom of Information Act (IFG). In an interview with ARD’s “Interview of the Week,” Hubig stated her intention to meticulously examine the draft laws to ensure that both citizens and journalists retain the right to question governmental actions and receive official information.
She emphasized the government’s continued requirement to operate transparently and accountably for its activities. Although she had not yet discussed the changes with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU)-as the coalition committee only approved the amendments a few days prior-she stressed the need to safeguard “what is important to me: this transparency, this duty to provide information, which we, the government and the executive branch, are subject to.”
The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act, enacted in 2006, is to prevent corruption and abuse of power by granting an unconditional right to information from federal authorities. Documents made possible by the law have facilitated investigations into subjects ranging from mask trading and lobbying contacts to the failed car toll system and the Wirecard scandal.
However, the planned reforms, championed by the CDU and SPD, introduce significant restrictions. Under the new proposals, civil society organizations will no longer be able to submit inquiries. Applicants will be required to demonstrate a “legitimate interest” and bear all costs associated with responding to the requests. Additionally, authorities will be granted greater powers to redact information.
In response to these proposed limitations on citizens’ and journalists’ access to official federal information, growing protest is underway. Various organizations, associations, and media outlets are calling for a halt to the planned changes to the Freedom of Information Act.
