Bewährung und Fortentwicklung des Informationsfreiheitsrechts

The access to government information at the federal level has been regulated by the Federal Freedom of Information Act since 2006. The Committee on Internal Affairs of the German Bundestag asked the Institute for Regulatory Impact Assessment and Evaluation Speyer to evaluate the law. The evaluation was based on the objectives defined in the law’s explanatory memorandum: transparency and openness of administrative decisions, strengthening of democratic participation and control of administrative action. The degree of achievement and further effects are analysed from a social science and law perspective. The analysis was based on reviews of the jurisprudence and on surveys among public authorities and requesters as well as on interviews with selected agencies and courts. The presentation of the results consists of five conflict areas added by options for further developments of the law. The report was submitted to the Committee on Internal Affairs of the Bundestag. Subsequently, a public hearing took place. The results of the latter could be considered in this publication.