Although most European countries have laws guaranteeing the right to information, journalists often face major obstacles in practice. This report reviews 60 documented violations of FOI recorded on the Mapping Media Freedom Platform, analyses the legal frameworks across Europe, and draws on insights from interviews with FOI experts and defenders.
The report finds that journalists’ requests for information across all focus countries were ignored, partially answered, or rejected. In some instances, authorities went to significant lengths to bar journalists from access by releasing heavily censored documents or contesting access requests before court.
Because there is no single, unified FOI law that standardises access across Europe, conditions vary widely depending on each country’s legislation and political environment. To illustrate these differences, the report takes a closer look at four case studies: Germany, Hungary, Malta, and Ukraine.
Key Findings of the Report
- Germany: The country’s FOI framework is under pressure from the new government, elected in February 2025. Journalists face additional barriers due to administrative inefficiencies and malpractice.
- Hungary: Access to information is heavily restricted as part of the ruling government’s broader efforts to undermine independent media and civil society. FOI is frequently curtailed through legal and political pressure.
- Malta: The FOI Act itself is designed in a way that restricts transparency. Journalists often encounter long delays, while drawn-out legal proceedings further obstruct access to public information.
- Ukraine: Wartime conditions significantly constrain access to information. Authorities face the challenge of balancing national security concerns with the public’s right to know, leaving journalists with limited access to government data.
Freedom of information is an essential right for journalists to do their work. Functioning FOI laws ensure that journalists can shine a spotlight on government misconduct, and facilitate the flow of information between the government and the public.
