Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) responded to criticism regarding potential wide-ranging restrictions to the Freedom of Information Act (IFG). Speaking at a government questioning session in the German Bundestag on Wednesday, Hubig stated that any changes planned would be closely monitored to ensure the fundamental consensus regarding the purpose and significance of the IFG is maintained.
The Coalition Agreement includes plans to reform the law, aiming to benefit citizens and make the legislation more effective. The minister strongly refuted speculation that IFG requests could incur fees totaling tens of thousands of euros in the future, declaring that such considerations were “nowhere to be found” and remained pure speculation. She added that the draft law from the responsible department must first be reviewed by the Federal Government, though she expressed confidence that the government would continue to ensure transparency regarding its actions.
Plans agreed upon last week in the Coalition Committee involve significant changes. They propose that IFG requests can only be made by private individuals and only if they can demonstrate a “legitimate interest.” Under these revised rules, organizations and media companies would be excluded. Furthermore, the existing fee ceiling of 500 euros is set to be abolished; instead, charges are intended to be collected on a “cost-covering” basis. The government justifies these measures by citing “bureaucratic reduction” and the need to protect critical infrastructure. However, numerous organizations and media outlets claim these proposed shifts constitute “an attack on press freedom.”
