Germany is forgetting history already.
Germany has learned from history and become Israel's biggest supporter.
Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
61–70 of 203 posts
Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#62Wait? They previously allowed everybody and their mother to request the information? Limiting it to ‘citizens of the european union’ seems eminently reasonable.
Not really. The main "purpose" for such information is to be published, and at that point it makes no difference who exactly requested it. Personal view: The current mainly governing party in Germany (CDU/CSU) is a bunch of incompetent, nepotistic gerontocrats, and this change is mainly intended to make it harder for independent press to air their dirty laundry. Just for reference: Approval rating for Merz (chancello…
I am wondering if a valid aspect of limiting this to people living in Germany could be to prevent Denial of Service attacks from abroad. Of course these could also be launched from Germans...
Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#63Earlier quoted context omitted.
Maybe, but the more problematic part is disallowing NGOs from submitting information requests. Multiple previous corruption scandals in Germany were exposed exactly because NGOs themselves were allowed to submit these information requests (and pay for them).
IMHO banning organisations from making requests will have no effect. People will just make requests in their own names, instead, then what?
The government has a list of pesky troublemakers to target individually if they prove too annoying? I'm sure the good people of Germany can figure out something to charge someone with.
Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
Ok, so what did they actually approve? Is this just a "declaration of intent", and the actual laws will follow later?! The article clearly says "lawmakers approved a whole series of reforms" - I was also surprised that this worked so quickly, but what do I know...
I think the article just has poor wording. They went through a raft of different, unrelated reforms already, and this is part of the next set the CDUs want to get through.
DW is the only media outlet in Germany financed directly via taxes. They are unlikely to be impartial
Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#65Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#66Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#67Germany is forgetting history already.
Germany has learned from history and become Israel's biggest supporter.
Shame on you! You turning it upside down, Germany think of them self as the worst war criminal ever (and forever) and that's is why the dont allow themself to ever criticize Israel whatever they do.
Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's not just foreign nationals that would be barred from issuing requests but non-profit organizations as well. Also, the cap on fees would be eliminated, further increasing the barriers for people wanting to issue requests.
Is there any material difference between a non-profit asking and people who work for the non-profit asking? Is the maker of the request made public or something? It sounds like the organizations thing might just be to stop foreign nationals using that as a workaround.
I'm unsure if non-profit funds can be used in that way for a (technically) private inquiry.
Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#69As a German citizen let me tell you, the rate of decline this country is in is truly shocking. This is by far the worst government in my lifetime, and remarkably there is wide consensus about it across the population (above 85% dissatisfaction, if you think I am exaggerating here).
Industry and trade associations aren't happy either, which raises the question who asks for this? Life is getting forcefully precarious for a lot of people: Reduction of labor rights; stigmatization of unemployment, down to calls for forced labor; inflation; heavy increase in taxes; unaffordable housing... Mind you, none of that is economically necessary (e.g. we could prosecute tax evasion and tax the rich to begin with). All while transparency and democratic institutions are needlessly eroded.
And then there is the real threat of a next AfD (fascists oligarchy party) government looming above all. It's like CDU/SPD are preparing for a authoritarian take-over. Incidentally, there are documented connections between CDU leaders and foreign think tanks like The Heritage Foundation. Not to mention the constant endorsement and promotion of the AfD by Musk and Vance.
It's fucking wild and scary. I honestly fear, Germany is past the point of no return. I think we got moderately lucky Trump decided to outdo himself with Iran, and then the recent record heat wave, which felt downright apocalyptic. The theoretical negative consequences of some policies became immediately very tangible and undeniable. But I am not sure that's enough to shake up people. The opposition is somewhat complicit by not stepping up and presenting a vision towards democracy, equality and reason.
Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
Maybe, but the more problematic part is disallowing NGOs from submitting information requests. Multiple previous corruption scandals in Germany were exposed exactly because NGOs themselves were allowed to submit these information requests (and pay for them).
IMHO banning organisations from making requests will have no effect. People will just make requests in their own names, instead, then what?
There are fees that need to be paid to make a freedom of information request (fees which they also want to jack up), and if an NGO offers to pay that fee so that a native German citizen can make the request, it could be construed as foreign interference.